Researchers from the National University of Singapore have found a way to quickly detect GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid,) also known as a “date rape drug” alongside Rohypnol (roofies), Time reveals. Once mixed with a beverage that contains GHB, the newly discovered liquid changes into a fluorescent orange color in less than 30 seconds.
The method is reportedly “faster, simpler and more obvious” than other GHB tests meant to discover the use of date rape drugs. The drug is colorless, odorless and tasteless, which is why it’s mixed with alcoholic drinks. The drug can cause “unconsciousness and even seizures,” Time says.
The researchers will have GHB test kits in stores later this year, although it’s not immediately clear what they would look like and how they would work.
In addition to quickly figuring out whether a beverage has GHB in it, the kits should be fairly easy to use – even in those cases when the person suspecting malicious intentions from others is a little buzzed herself/himself – and rather inconspicuous. After all, not everyone that buys a drink for someone actually plans to season it with some GHB, and testing the drink for GHB out in the open may not always be a great ice breaker.
Similarly, it’s not clear whether such a test would also be able to test roofies, although research in this field is clearly going in the right direction.
DrinkSavvy is another organization that aims to offer products that can detect date rape drugs. The company proposes to include tests directly in cups (image above,) glasses, straws and stirrers in order for users to quickly detect whether something has been put in their drinks. However, the company doesn’t have a commercial product yet.
