Quaaludes, Cosby’s Alleged Rape Drugs of Choice, Were Somehow Even Scarier Than You Think

[DonViejo]

Jay Michaelson

Some of Cosby’s accusers weren’t unconscious when he allegedly assaulted them. Many were awake, and unable to do anything about it.

“Quaaludes happen to be the drug that kids, young people were using to party with,” Bill Cosby said in his 2005 deposition. And that is probably the image most of us have of the pills, popular in the ’70s, the decade of disco and decadence. “Disco Biscuits,” they were called—I can almost picture a lipsticked Mick Jagger slipping one to Jerry Hall at Studio 54.

But in the wake of New York magazine’s instantly iconic cover featuring 35 of Cosby’s accusers (and one empty chair), the real effects of Quaaludes (methaqualone) are back in the headlines. And they are far more terrifying than the reputation suggests.

“I cannot keep balance. I cannot keep consciousness… I think I may have lost reasoning. I am death.” That’s what one Quaaludes user posted on the psychedelic website Erowid during his trip. And that was one he took voluntarily. Many of Cosby’s victims, assuming their stories are true, did not have that choice.

The testimony published in New York is similar. Some victims say things like “I really don’t remember much, except waking up in his bedroom. He was naked, and he was forcing himself into my mouth.”

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/27/quaaludes-cosby-s-alleged-rape-drugs-of-choice-were-somehow-even-scarier-than-you-think.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. ...

[cwydro]

2. I was coming of age in that era.

I was offered pills by "dates" on more than one occasion. And also by "friends."

I chose not to take them.

I don't understand anyone who would.

However, their willingness to take some unknown drug, though stupid, does not excuse the actions of a rapist.

Rape is rape. Period.

[Warpy]

3. There were a few drugs I turned down

Quaaludes were among them. I was mostly over the drug scene by then, anyway, but was coming to grips with the fact that I was destined to abstain from alcohol thanks to migraines. Quaaludes didn't interest me at all. They just seemed to make you bumbling and stupid until they wore off and people high on them mostly seemed rather unhappy about it.

This is from somebody who tried heroin (and was lucky enough not to like it).

[Hekate]

4. May Cosby live to see his entire life in utter ruins

By the way, to those who want to ding the victims for "taking an unknown pill," does the phrase "slip someone a Mickey" still have any resonance? In most cases he seems to have doctored their drinks to such an extent that after a few sips they were out of commission.

To be sure, I do recall a few women saying he offered them an "herbal remedy" for their stress, and of course they trusted good old Dr. Huxtable and took him at his word.

[DonViejo]

5. I think he's all ready there Hekate...

Cosby's house is twenty to twenty five minutes away from ours; we drove by a week ago Sunday and, for the first time, saw guards around the property, especially at the front gate. Brand new "KEEP OUT" signs too. The house is in a rural community situated on acres and acres and acres of land; a very beautiful setting but, right now, an incredibly anger provoking and saddening one.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. I think Hugh Hefner was just as bad.

There's some awful stuff coming out about the Playboy mansion. But we all really probably knew that all along.

These men are just way beyond disgusting. They are so slimy it's hard to imagine anyone really being that gross.

[KittyWampus]

7. Kim Fowley- the band manager for The Runaways (Joan Jett's 1st gig)

apparently he used same M.O. and yet when he died recently everyone pretended he was this great guy.

It's good for Cosby's victims that they are finally being vindicated. Hope it helps them heal.

That being said, I have a feeling Cosby was hardly the only famous guy in Hollywood or wherever who was doing this.

Good he's getting outed.

[moondust]

8. I'd bet somebody like his agent

and/or production company and/or network--somebody in a position to stop it--knew what was going on but didn't say anything because MONEY!!!!!!