Buser: Date rape's demise

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.

Editorial: Students should have fun but be ...

Some tips for students for protecting themselves.

/news/2010/mar/11/students-should-have-fun-be-cautious-during-break/

Safe bar, happy bar

Some Lawrence bars have agreed to take measures to improve patron safety.

/news/2010/sep/06/safe-bar-happy-bar/

When traveling, drink and be wary

The University's Public Safety Office urges students to take precautions while drinking ...

/news/2008/mar/14/drink_and_be_wary/

Harris: Simple precautions can help students avoid ...

In order to decrease the sexual assault statistics on college campuses, students ...

/news/2011/apr/20/harris-simple-precautions-can-help-students-avoid-/

In the aftermath

College-age women seek justice, peace and healing while coping with the pain ...

/news/2010/apr/26/aftermath/

Happy Hour at Home

Bring the bar atmosphere to your living room with a do-it-yourself guide ...

/news/2006/aug/31/happy_hour_ho/

Strange brew

/news/2005/mar/31/jayplay_venue_strange/

Kansas in Heat: Picking up a bartender

Tackle the sticky world of relationships.

/news/2011/apr/07/kansas-heat-picking-bartender/

Class in a Glass

“I like to have a martini, two at the very most, after ...

/news/2007/nov/08/class_glass/

Students learn how to handle alcohol

Group hosts Jason Wren Initiative to educate University community about taking responsibility ...

/news/2010/apr/19/students-learn-how-handle-alcohol/

Winter Warning

Winter weather poses a dangerous threat to skin, hair and nails. Cruel ...

/news/2007/feb/01/winter_warning/

Hawk topics

News you can use

/news/2007/nov/15/hawk_topics/

Bar-tiquette

Some rules and common sense for the bar

/news/2007/oct/18/bartiquette/

Oberthaler: Has Gardasil really conquered HPV?

/news/2008/oct/12/oberthaler_has_gardasil_really_conquered_hpv/

No holds barred: The secret life of ...

It might be one of the most recession-proof jobs in America.

/news/2009/jan/15/bartenders/

Is your drink making you fat?

/news/2006/apr/13/jp_isyourdrinkmakingyoufat/

Stolen shot glasses

Schooners, shot glasses, and keg shells are a few of the items ...

/news/2007/mar/01/hawk/

Local bars adjust sales tactics

As alcohol sales decline with the economy, bars must develop new strategies ...

/news/2010/dec/05/local-bars-adjust-sales-tactics/

Curing the common zit

The secret to greak skin is not necessarily in how often you ...

/news/2006/feb/02/health/

Buser: Facebook and GPA staying connected

Whether Facebook helps or dooms your grades is largely up to you.

/news/2009/apr/24/buser_facebook_/

DIY

Mosaic coasters

/news/2008/apr/24/diy/

Good for you/bad for you

Lip balm

/news/2008/feb/21/good_youbad_you/

Study reaffirms KU alcohol abuse prevention efforts

Joint efforts between KU and the community helps prevent risky drinking habits.

/news/2010/nov/23/alcohol-abuse-prevention-study/

What's hiding in your cabinets?

Facts about expired medicine

/news/2008/may/08/whats_hiding_your_cabinets/

Bloody Marys in Larry

Where to find some of Lawrence's most popular spicy drink

/news/2010/dec/09/bloody-marys-larry/

‘Take Back the Night’ promotes awareness

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault share stories and shelters provide ...

/news/2010/sep/23/take-back-night-promotes-awareness/

Editorial: Knowing the signs is vital in ...

Knowledge is key to preventing tragedy related to alcohol.

/news/2009/mar/31/editorial_knowing/

Good For You, Bad For You: Lip ...

Sometimes, it's hard to tell.

/news/2011/sep/29/good-you-bad-you-lip-balm/

Editorial: Sexual violence preventable

To stop sexual violence from occurring, create a buddy system at parties. ...

/news/2007/may/07/kielered/

Malicious Intimacy

Four students' experiences with domestic violence.

/news/2011/may/04/malicious-intimacy/

Certain behaviors increase need for STD testing

Health centers follow the motto, better safe than sorry, when it comes ...

/news/2008/jul/14/std/

Tomorrow's news: liquid glass

Just call us Cleo.

/news/2010/feb/18/tomorrows-news-liquid-glass/

Beware of the Winos

/news/2005/oct/06/beware_winos/

Reuse it

Make a coaster curtain

/news/2008/apr/24/reuse_it/

A sobering struggle

College students with alcoholism fight to overcome their addiction in an alcohol-infused ...

/news/2008/dec/03/sobering_struggle/

Dirty mouth: Water may not be clean

Traces of prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs can be found in water ...

/news/2009/sep/14/tap_water/

In the aftermath: Jessica's story

College-age women seek justice, peace and healing while coping with the pain ...

/news/2010/apr/26/aftermath-jessicas-story/

Hit or miss

How to fend off the drunken losers and search elsewhere to find ...

/news/2010/feb/18/hit-or-miss/

Editor's note

I’d skipped over the ad a hundred times before,

/news/2009/jan/15/editors_note/

Lawrence bar named in 'best of' list

Esquire magazine named Replay Lounge as one of the top 50 bars ...

/news/2007/jun/05/lawrence_bar_named_top_100_list/

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID