The risk of having your drink being spiked with a date rape drug is a very serious. You can never be totally sure that there aren’t predators lurking around you, so as a result many people live in fear. Unfortunately, aside from not letting your drink out of your sight, there aren’t any on the spot tests readily available. Three girls that recognized this important issue came up with an ingenious idea. Many people use straws with their drinks and they are always provided at bars, clubs and pubs. So, they worked on using this fact to create something that could finally increase people’s safety… a straw that detects date rape drugs!
Here are the girls that invented the straw that detects date rape drugs. Victoria Roca, Susana Cappello and Carolina Baigorri are students of ‘Gulliver Prepatory School’ in Miami. During an entrepreneurship class, the three girls designed a straw that would have two strips that when placed into a drink could alert a person if the contents have been drugged.
Date rapes are among the higher number of rape cases according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Date rape commonly occurs among college students who tend to drink or be under the influence of drugs. In conclusion, sixteen to twenty four year old women are one of the most targeted brackets.
The straw itself can detect traces of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GBH), ketamine and roofies (rohypnol), which are the most commonly used drugs when it comes to spiking someone’s drink.
Currently, there is a patent for the straw in the works. This means the trio would be able to market and sell their product. As a result, there could be a potentially huge reduction in victims of date rape.
If the straw detects drugs in a drink, the tip will turn blue so it will be easy for the user to understand the results.
Carolina stated ‘We know it’s not a solution because it can’t end rape, but we are hoping to lower the amount of rape and dangerous situations you might be in through drugs’. Take a look at the video below to see more about the girls and their incredible invention.