Follow this blog:
RSS

Coming soon: Glasses that detect date rape drugs

By | December 16, 2012, 10:52 AM PST

Because keeping a drink in sight at all times is easier said than done, Boston-based company DrinkSavvy wants to create a line of products that will change appearance after getting spiked, alerting drinkers to the presence of date rape drugs and preventing them from blacking out.

Created by patent attorney Mike Abramson after he himself was slipped a date rape drug at a bar in Boston, the line of straws, stirrers, cups and glasses display a red tinge upon making contact with the usually tasteless, colorless and odorless drugs.

“We all know not to leave our drinks unattended, but the reality is it’s impossible to keep an eye on your drink all night,” Abramson says in an informational video for DrinkSavvy. “[With DrinkSavvy] that means discrete, 100 percent effortless, and continuous drink monitoring throughout the night.”

After asking for the help of Worcester Polytechnic Institute chemistry professor Dr. John MacDonald to design the products, Abramson is now hoping to raise $50,000 on Indiegogo to bring the line to fruition.

The ultimate goal for DrinkSavvy is for the cups and glasses to become the new safety standard in bars and clubs and to be stocked for free in rape crisis centers across the country.

If the group obtains the funding it needs, the products could be on the market by June of next year.

Images: DrinkSavvy Facebook

[via Fast Co.Exist, PSFK]

Start your week smarter with our weekly e-mail newsletter. It's your cheat sheet for good ideas. Get it.

Sarah Korones

About Sarah Korones

Sarah Korones was a contributing editor for SmartPlanet from 2012 to 2013.

Sarah Korones

Sarah Korones

Contributing Editor

Sarah Korones is a freelance writer based in New York. She has written for Psychology Today and Boston's Weekly Dig. She holds a degree from Tufts University.

Follow her on Twitter.

Sarah Korones

Sarah Korones

Sarah Korones does not have financial holdings that would influence how or what she covers.

She writes for SmartPlanet and is not an employee of CBS.

If you liked this, don't miss...
7
Comments

Join the conversation!

Follow via:
RSS
+2 Votes
+ -
Glasses and Straws to Detect Date Rape Drugs
I think this is an amazing idea. I would personally buy these straws and carry them with me when I go out. I would then know that I have the straw and do not have to depend on someone to give it to me. I like it!
Posted by soapy123
17th Dec
0 Votes
+ -
Achohol already alters drinkers
"after getting spiked, altering drinkers..."
I think you want "after getting spiked, alerting drinkers..."
Posted by mheartwood
17th Dec
0 Votes
+ -
Correction
You're absolutely right. Thanks for pointing out the typo. The post has been corrected.
Posted by skorones
17th Dec
0 Votes
+ -
spelling and intention
i disagree, the whole point is to alter the drinker
Posted by affordablecomputerguy@...
Updated - 17th Dec
-3 Votes
+ -
Date Rape Cups
You know...a really novel approach would be to not get plastered every ******* time you go out. What's with people anyway?
Posted by Jackoff johnson
17th Dec
+2 Votes
+ -
So... Thinking is not your strong point eh...
Perhaps I should explain this date rape drug thing to you... The drugs work just as well in non alcoholic drinks.

I t...h a s...n o t h i n g...t o...d o...w i t h...a l c o h o l...o r...g e t t i n g...
p l a s t e r e d.

I have known a lot of women who go out to clubs because they love to dance and socialize with friends. They like the exercise of dancing and they have fun. And here is a news flash JJ... Some of them do not drink alcohol (especially becuase they are doing an aerobic exercise, just water or fruit juice).

Now for the sake of your argument, because you seem to think women go out, get sloppy drunk and then someone drugs them... Of those women who do go out to socialize, drink, and meet guys... You think women should go out to a bar and turn down drinks all night long?

Here is a thought JJ... When it comes to social issues, you should refrain from commenting because you obviously have no understanding of them.
Posted by i8thecat4
Updated - 17th Dec
-1 Votes
+ -
Now, all that the date rape monsters will need,
is a date rape drug that is not detectable by this new method.

A rapist might not need the date rape drug to begin with, if the victim is so drunk out of her mind that, she won't be able to resist.

Chemistry is such a potent weapon.

BTW, I've never been to a bar, and I don't drink, and I don't like seeing anybody drinking. But, I don't need to be a drinker in order to understand the dangers.
Posted by adornoe
Updated - 17th Dec
Join the conversation
Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]

Join the SmartPlanet community and join the conversation! Signing up is fast and free. Don't wait -- we want to hear your opinion!