The drink guard

We applaud this Welsh-inventor's altruistic intent when designing the Drink-Guard, a device to prevent date rapists from slipping drugs into unsuspecting female bar patrons' drinks. Place the plastic cap on your beer bottle, remove the key, and leave the bottle at will for extended bathroom breaks or to feed the jukebox. After returning check the cap and a red light will signal if anyone's attempted to tamper with it. If you're in the clear, just unlock and continue towards inebriation. The only problem, this only works with the standard beer bottle, which is gonna be a problem since we know how the ladies love those girly mixed drinks.

[Del @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

This is a cool thing that all bars should carry.

DR3 - Drink Safe Coaster, Standard - 2 tests per coaster
The standard Drink Safe Coaster is a two test device. Measuring 4� x 4� with five color graphics. The coasters are designed with the drink safe message prominently displayed in the center with two test areas located at each bottom corner. The back of the coaster has complete instructions for use.

http://www.drinksafetech.com/

*I am in no way affiliated with Drink Safe Tech, I just thought it was cool. *

[Peekay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Wouldn't it be easier to carry a pack of chemically reactive 'tapers' that you could discreetly 'dip' into your drink to make sure it wasn't doped. Like cocktail sticks?. Tiny. Pocket size. Disposable. They could perhaps stock them behind the bar and provide one with each drink on request. Could even carry tiny instructions :-)

[Neil T. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Alcotops - http://www.alcotop.co.uk/ - are also available. They're a bit of cheap plastic that flips on top of the bottle, although they typically sell for �1 ($1.80) each, which can sometimes be more than the cost of the drink they're designed to protect. One 'alcotop' will only last one night too.

Peekay's idea is better. Perhaps drinks could have chemicals added so that they completely change colour if spiked.

[Anthony @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Hi,

In response to Del's post on Drink Safe - I have read recently in the news about the Drink Detective - this test will test for all 3 drug rape drugs; where the drinksafe test only tests for 2 (no rohypnol/roofies) giving false security. Not only that, the drinksafe will only detect lethal doses of GHB!! Drinksafe? I think not.
The Drink Detective will be available in chemists soon I've heard. I plan to stock it in our SU.

Peekay - I agree, it's a v. good idea. I believe a few people have tried at a drink dipping thing before.

Full marks to David Burnell as well; the alcotop is a brilliant idea to stop this awful crime.

Ant.

[Dr. Brian R. Glover @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I am the Scientific Coordinator for Drink Safe Technologies (www.drinksafetech.com).

The manufactures of the Drink Detective would have you believe that the once infamous date rape drug Rohypnol is such a huge problem that a test had to be designed to detect it. In reality, Experts in the field of law enforcement and forensics state they haven�t seen a case of flunitrazepam drink spiking in over 7 years. Why, because the manufactures of the drug have changed their formulations so as to be insoluble in a beverage and impart a dark blue or green color depending on which country and manufacturer originally supplied it. GHB has grown to be the most frequently used drink spiking agent to date. That is not to say that people still aren�t abusing Rohypnol as a club drug, but experts feel that all supplies of this drug are actually diverted from once legal sources.

Drink Safe Technologies made a conscious decision not to include a Rohypnol test because it is merely the media who perpetuates they myth of Rohypnol being the number one date rape drug. Also, the enzymatic assay included in the Drink Detective is just an easily obtainable urine test for benziodiazepines. It was never intended to be used in a beverage and as such it isn�t compatible with stronger alcoholic drinks like mixed drinks. Lastly, it elevates the cost of the Drink Detective to a very impractical retail level making it unused by the general populous. Would you pay $7.00 to test a $2.50 beer? Enough said.

As for GHB detection, both the drink detective and Drink Safe Technologies detect GHB levels at about the same concentrations, 500 mg in a typical 8-ounce drink. Far from lethal doses when you consider that the approved for medical use version of GHB distributed by Orphan medical is dispensed at about 7000 mg during an 8 hour time period.

Finally for the record, Drink Safe Technologies will detect GHB, methyl-GHB (or GVH), Ketamine, Zopiclone, Diphenhydramine and other narcotic alkaloids at higher doses like Scopolamine and Hyoscamine. That is quite a few more than Drink Detective, and all for about $0.50 to $0.75 a test. The choice does seem obvious.

[Mr Chris Loane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I am the research scientist whom designed the colorimetric indicator for "ketamine" and "gamma-hydroxy butyrate" in the currently available DRINK DETECTIVE, which is affiliated with the worlds only Drug Rape In formation/Assistance Service (The Roofies Foundation).

I have remained silent on this topic "tit-for-tat" about this device and that for a number of years now, this is my first comment - to put it bluntly.

Keeping it simple so that no misinterpretation is possible- Firstly I am a qualified organic research chemist with many years experience in the isolation of novel drugs, antibiotics etc from biological sources. This is a claim no other person/s currently vocal about this topic can boast. It is my belief that I am qualified to give the following opinions.

I have tested everything (drink-spike detection kits) available on the market a number of years ago. My findings were displeasing, that the devices fell way short of what they "claimed".

As identification of chemical unkowns is "my background" I decided to put a bit of time in to research the detection of "subsatnces of abuse" which could be used in beverages.

My research and development afforded a device capable of detecting concentrations of these substances below amounts considered to be capable of rendering a person "incapacitated". And well below the working detection concentrations observed by other devices.

(KETAMINE) while pinpointing "ketamine", this is only one of many amines the device can detect including but not limited to, ephidrine, pseudoephidrine, methylamphetamine, methylenedioxymethylamphetamine, scopolamine, cocaine, other secondary and tertiary amines.

(Benzodiazepines) Most parties vocal on this topic try to dispell Benzo's as irrelevant. Stating that manufacturers place insoluable ingredients and/or dyes into the tablets and so no concern is necessary. But what about illegally manufactred tablets which are in circulation throughout the world ?

Or they state that those involved in scurities etc. dont "find them" but what about reports similar to the following - REFERENCE "International Assosciation of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) 2003 Melbourne Australia Conference" exert from "Drug Fascilitated Sexual Assaults - Are they real ? poster session 1 paper 30" ...."The Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre.....The aim of this poster is to discuss results obtained by the Center in such cases (sexual assault) over a 5 year period during 1997 to 2002. RESULTS: One-hundred and eighty four (184) cases consisting of blood and or urine samples were analysed and in 34% of these cases sedatives such as diazepam, nitrazepam and flunitrazepam were detected. Of these 50% also contained alcohol and/or other drugs."

Many official government reports along these lines are freely available over the internet. I encourage all readers to visit their own government official crime statistics websites.

(GHB) Is also rapidly detected by the device.

The greatest problem devices of this nature will always have is the possibilities of False Positives and Flase Negatives. The user should always consider the relevance of a device so affected by standard beverage ingredients, that it cannot "work" with samples from the most commonly consumed drinks within the general populus.

I would like to go further into the technicalities of each device, why they a flawed or simply dont work but this is not the purpose of my comment. My point for responding to some of the above opinions is to offer FACT, not stories. I have researched the topic and improved on what was available.

I hope this information is of use.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

The Drink Guard, in my opinion, is dangerous in that it provides a false sense of security. I won't quote statistics etc, just personal experience - rohypnol can be obtained on the black market in an uncoloured format, making it undetectable. I have also come across Valium, which is another benzodiazepine. The Drink Guard won't detect either. However, the Drink Detective DOES. The arguement by 'Dr. Brian R. Glover' that the benzo test is designed for urine and not drinks is misleading - most drink are free of biological compounds and certain chemicals that are present in urine. Therefore, most drinks are purer than urine. Hiding behind the 'Dr.' title won't make Dr. Glover's product any safer.
Incidentally, I have no connection with either firm - and I also have a PhD in biotechnology, but I choose not to use it to make misleading statements.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

The Drink Guard, in my opinion, is dangerous in that it provides a false sense of security. I won't quote statistics etc, just personal experience - rohypnol can be obtained on the black market in an uncoloured format, making it undetectable. I have also come across Valium, which is another benzodiazepine. The Drink Guard won't detect either. However, the Drink Detective DOES. The arguement by 'Dr. Brian R. Glover' that the benzo test is designed for urine and not drinks is misleading - most drink are free of biological compounds and certain chemicals that are present in urine. Therefore, most drinks are purer than urine. Hiding behind the 'Dr.' title won't make Dr. Glover's product any safer.
Incidentally, I have no connection with either firm - and I also have a PhD in biotechnology, but I choose not to use it to make misleading statements.

[nia jones @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

was wonderin if it would b ok if i used the concept as a marketing and promotion project in uni(design of packagin etc)
i'm going 2 tidy next wk so i'll av a word with them then.

[chelsea @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Wondering if anybody still looking here??? Anyway i have a a product that will soon be on the market with little or no cost that helps prevent the spiking in the first place, just wondered if there was anyone interested in helping take it internationally? I won't give too much away just yet!

[Belinda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Hi
For those who have the scientific knowledge and know-how, I was wondering if you could help me with some questions?
I'm a graphic designer wanting to make a relavant contribution to society..I'm working on a drink spike detector for uni and hope to get it out onto the market. The name, marketing strategy, design, materials, demographic appeal etc (can't give away much information at this stage) are all sorted out except for the science of the product!
Can the the substance that is applied to the paper of the drink guard and drink detective be applied to cloth and still be effective?
One kit that I have bought says that you have to wait for 2 mins before you get a result and have to be viewed in a well lit area.. can this be changed ie: why can't the results be immediate to take action fast? Can the testing substances be applied to glow in the dark, reflective or intense colour solutions to view in a low light area such as a bar?
Your answers will be appreciated very much!(I would like to give credit to you in my final presentation so please let me know your name..but if you don't want to expose your name, that's understandable) Thanks

[mr j.gormanly @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

hi everyone. i have been watching very closly at all the ideas that have been developed for to stop drink spikeing, The only problem is that it is all for bottles only. Think of the millions that use glass pints ect,I was spiked in my pint in a local bar and was ill for nearly two weeks.So i came up with an idea and made a prototype of it.it fits any beer glass or wine glass and is inpossibile to remove.so if any companys out their are interested email me thanks joe

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

Hi all, I am a post-graduate student studying Industrial Design. I am currently doing a project on drink spike detecting, and think that what is currently available is inadequate as they rely on intoxicated persons to conciously decide when to test their drinks, and that if the public was concious enough to systematically whip out a test kit then they should be smart enough to watch their drinks in the first place.

I agree with John, if people soley rely on spike detectors then it may evolve into a false sense of security.

My question is directed to Dr Glover and Mr Loane: Are the chemicals used in your products consumable? ie. If they were to be incorporated into a swizzle stick or the glass itself, would contact with the contents render the drink harmfull for consumption?

[David Burnell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:57AM]

I am that inventor from Wales, it will fit all size bottles and currently working on a drinkguard for all size glasses