Urban Angst

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They Shoot Horses Don't They

This email warning UL popped up in November 1999. The alleged drug "Progesterex" was invented as a means to sterilize female horses and evil men are using it in conjunction with Rohypnol ("Roofies") to knock out and rape women. What makes this particularly insidious, is that the Progesterex will permanently sterilize the women, so that they can never have children.

There is no drug named "Progesterex." There is no veterinary drug that permanently sterilizes horses. No similar drug has ever been used in conjunction with a date rape.

The combination of the fear of rape and of never being able to bear children makes this a potent UL.

This UL is particularly evil. Date rape is a serious concern. Rohypnol ("Roofies") is real and while its reputation is overblown, it has been used as a date rape drug. The combination of fact and fiction can only serve to eventually lessen the impact of real warnings and education.

Debunked: A new date-rape drug called "Progesterex" is used in combination with Rohypnol to permanently sterilize women.