It is unclear how widespread the issue is due to under-reporting of these incidents and therefore the lack of evidence.
In most cases, perpetrator(s) target unsuspecting victims by slipping illicit drugs into their beverages at dance parties, bars or nightclubs.
These substances are colourless, tasteless and odourless, so the victim has absolutely no way of knowing that the drink he or she is about to consume will cause severe impairment and leave him or her vulnerable.
The victim is then left at the mercy of the perpetrator(s), led away and then a crime may be committed.
Drink Guard Drink Spike Detector is a unique and groundbreaking product that helps detect the presence of illicit ‘date rape’ drugs (GHB, ketamine ) in drinks.
The colourless, odorless, tasteless drugs were impossible to detect until Drink Guard Spike Detector
Each Drink Guard Spike Detector card is about the size of a credit card and contains two tests; these two testing areas react with a visible colour change when they come into contact with a drink spiked with any of the illicit drugs.
A great new idea in personal protection
The test works in seconds and provides peace of mind that you can't get any other way.
Spikers are getting cleverer all the time. Even when you think you are being careful, they can find ways past your guard without you knowing. Not now!
With Drink Spike Detector you are always within seconds of peace of mind.
Drink Spike Detector allows you to enjoy your night out safe in the knowledge that the drugs most commonly used for date-rape are not present in your drink.
The world wide patented technology is similar to a litmus test. You take a drop from the suspect drink, put them onto the two spots of one test, and the test spot turns a darker blue if it detects amounts of GHB and Ketamine that would render a person in a semi comatose state or unconscious. It even won an invention of the year award from TIME magazine,seelink-http://www.time.com/time/2002/inventions/hom_date.html
With these colour chromatic chemical recognition systems, the results can be subjective and also must be read in adequate lighting. There are limitations- the test only picks up GHB and Ketamine, and there are certain beverages and liquors that the technology is not compatible with. Nevertheless, there is no other product in the local market that works as a personal protective measure against drinking a spiked drink. It is a tool to be used with common sense.
It is not foolproof, the parallel to use; is that it is similar to condoms or the pill - it assists in raising awareness. We have discovered that young people using the drink spike detector actually raise their own awareness of drink spiking. It is also a very powerful deterrent to the ‘spiker’.
GHB and Ketamine are the most popular illicit drugs used because they are both readily available; GHB currently is being used as a recreational drug and methods on how to make it are available on the internet, and the ingredients freely bought at supermarkets. But GHB made in this way is not controlled, and therefore batches tend to differ.
They both come in liquid and powder form and can be placed into a drink without a visible change; they render people in a semi comatose state where they can be easily led away; they induce memory loss and they leave the body very quickly making it difficult for post incident toxicology screening.
We know that this product will not eradicate the whole drink spiking/date rape problem but it can work as a deterrent, an extra layer of personal protection and also raises awareness of this growing problem.
Drink Safe - Q&A
Q. What is drink spiking?
In most cases, illicit drugs are unobtrusively slipped into beverages of unsuspecting victims at dance parties, bars or nightclubs. These substances are colorless, tasteless and odorless so the victim has absolutely no way of knowing what is in the drink and the effect it can have. The drink when consumed can leave the victim defenseless and vulnerable.
Q. Where can drink spiking happen?
It can take place at any venues that sell alcohol and is predominantly reported to take place in bars, clubs and hotels. Drink spiking can also occur at private parties.
Q. What are some side effects from drink spiking?
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, feeling inhibited and memory loss.
Q What drugs are used to spike drinks?
Alcohol is still the most common drug used to spike drinks. GHB and Ketamine are the most common illicit drugs used in drink spiking. They are used because they are available on the black market or can be manufactured in backyard laboratories. They are difficult to notice in a drink because they are colourless, odourless and tasteless.
Q. What is GHB?
GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyrate, a central nervous system sedative often referred to by other names such as "Fantasy", "Grievous Bodily Harm" and "Liquid Ecstasy."
Q. What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that has been approved for both human and animal use in medical settings since 1970. About 90 percent of the Ketamine legally sold today is intended for veterinary use. Its slang or street names are Special K, Vitamin K or Cat Valiums.
Q. What is Rohypnol?
Rohypnol is a brand name for Flunitrazepam, a powerful sedative that is often referred to by other names such as "roofies" and "roach. Commercially available Rohypnol is now coloured blue to enable easy detection in a beverage, and therefore is not commonly used for spiking.
Q. What is a Drink Spike Detector (DSD)?
Drink Spike Detector by Drink Safe Technologies™ tests for both GHB and Ketamine. About the size of a credit card, the card incorporates world-patented technology that displays a visible color change when a drink spiked with GHB or Ketamine is tested. Each card can test two drinks.
Q. How does the DSD work?
Due to their size and ease of use, the test cards are relatively inconspicuous and can be used discreetly. The test takes only seconds to perform, and is as easy as placing a couple of drops from the drink in questions onto the active test spots using a swizzle stick, straw or even ones finger.
Q. Why has Drink Safe Technologies developed such a unique product?
To cater for the consumer needing a solution to a growing issue with sexual assault.
To be innovative and a market leader.
To adapt to an evolving market that needs to be socially responsible.
To act as a deterrent against drink spiking – when the cards are around the predators stop spiking as now there is a way to be caught.
Q. Are there similar products to DSD available in the market place?
In Australia, Drink Spike Detector is the first preventative tool to be launched into the market place.
Q. What drinks can the DSD be used with?
Beers, most mixed drinks (vodka, whisky, bourban, rum, and tequila), certain cocktails and soft drinks.
Q Who is the target market?
Anyone that drinks in social situations including male, female young or old. Also, targeted at parents to purchase for young adults over 18.
Q What drinks are not covered by the DSD?
Wine products, beverages containing milk products or cream, oily liqueurs, tonic waters, fruit juices or beverages containing fruit juices. Q. Who is the DSD target market?
Anyone who drinks with others in a possibly insecure environment.
Q Where will the DSD be available?