Buser: Date rape's demise

Column photo

By Richelle Buser

Thursday, October 22, 2009

It’s not a secret that many college students enjoy a night out with friends, and that those nights usually include some form of beer or liquor. Alcohol is always something that needs to be consumed responsibly, but what if there’s something in your drink you didn’t intend to be there? Something that could leave you vomiting, confused or without control of your actions?

Luckily, particularly for the ladies, there are recent products that make testing for any suspicious liquids in your cocktail easy and convenient.

Date-rape drugs have caused fear, humiliation and dangerous situations for many individuals simply trying to enjoy a night out on the town. Often, victims aren’t even sure if they were drugged or if they just had a few too many drinks. Dr. Yvonne Fulbright, a “sexpert” for Fox News, said on her blog that common side effects of date rape drugs include black outs, amnesia, nausea, nightmares, headaches, muscle pain and even hallucinations.

The good news is that everyone has the opportunity to remain out of harm’s way. There has been an increased use of cocktail condoms, drink covers that protect bar-goers from unknowingly being drugged, according to ABC News. Each cover costs less than ten cents to make and provides protection for anyone who momentarily leaves his or her drink unattended.

Drink coasters at several North Texas bars are now being used to test for common date -rape drugs, according to the Dallas-Ft. Worth NBC affiliate. Each coaster has instructions for the test and colored dots in the corner. By splashing just a drop or two of the suspected drink on the dots customers, and bartenders immediately know if the drink is spiked. The dot on the coaster will change color if the liquid contains gamma hydroxybutyrate (better known as GHB) or ketamine, two common date-rape drugs.

The coasters are available at 7-Elevens for about 40 cents each, according to Time magazine.

For ladies who value their appearances as much as their safety, the British cosmetics company 2LoveMyLips has created a lip gloss that doubles as a date-rape drug tester. The lip-gloss contains a pink taper that can be easily dipped into a drink to test GHB and ketamine, according to The Herald Sun.

The product has been a success in Britain and is expected to launch in Australia, the United States and popular destinations in the Middle East. The lip-glosses may also soon be available in vending machines and bathrooms at bars and nightclubs.

These new inventions are a valuable form of protection for anyone who consumes alcohol, but being prepared is always the best way to avoid a date- rape drug situation. Stick with your friends, never leave a drink unattended and if someone buys you anything, make sure you see the bartender pour it.

By being aware of your surroundings you can enjoy an evening out on the town without distress. It may not hurt to have an extra-special coaster with you, just in case.

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