Doctors in Mombasa have cautioned members of the public against a new chemical that is being used by criminals to drug unsuspecting victims, especially in drinking joints.
Mr Abi Mwachi, a medical doctor based at the Coast General Hospital, said cases of residents being drugged are on the rise, with the perpetrators using halothene, a gaseous formulation, to make victims fall into a deep sleep.
He said the halothane formulation is sprayed around the nostrils causing the victim to black out.
“The drugs are mostly used in our setting to spike alcoholic drinks at the various liquor joints. Halothene gas is a brain depressant that completely knocks out victims. On the other hand, ro-ohypnol which is famously referred to as the date-rape pill, drastically lowers one’s mental activity,” said Dr Mwachi
The doctor further said that the sweet smelling and colourless gas is medically used as an anaesthetic, but may lead to liver damage if one is exposed to prolonged and uncontrolled exposure.