New date rape drug test allows women to check if drinks are spiked

A new date rape drug test which allows women to check if their drinks have been spiked within just 30 seconds has been released.

The test, which is made by Undercover Colours, only uses a few drops of liquid and works similarly to a pregnancy test.

They are able to detect Xanax or its generic alprazolam, Valium (diazepam) and flunitrazepam, which is also known as Rohypnol.

“After four years in a lab, we are so excited to unveil the most effective test for detecting spiked beverages,” the firm said in a Facebook post.

“With just one drop, we give you a portable, quick and accurate way to determine the presence of commonly used date rape drugs in more than 100 liquids.”

Drug-facilitated sexual assault and sexual assault while incapacitated and therefore not able to provide consent is a prevalent problem which affects nearly one in ten women in the US, according to a study by the US Department of Justice.

A 2016 study in the Psychology of Violence Journal found more than one in 13 students reported being drugged, while 1.4 per cent reported incidents of drugging someone.

"Protection is not acceptance. Drugging someone's drink without their knowledge is a crime," Barbara Cook, chief executive of Undercover Colors, said.

“But that doesn't stop it from happening at colleges, bars, nightclubs, and hotels around the world. While we know the UC test doesn't solve the issue of sexual assault, we feel strongly that our science is a tool that can be used to promote safety.

“We're responding to the real challenges of today by empowering people with information while pushing for a future where these types of crimes don't happen."

“UC's tests are discreet, quick, effective, versatile, gender-neutral and work in over 100 liquids - this includes both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages such as juice, mixed drinks, beer, wine and liquors,” the company explained in a press release.

“It is designed as a small, one-inch in diameter, medallion that can be discreetly carried in personal items such as pockets, wallets and purses.”

The idea was conceived by four students at North Carolina State University more than four years ago. Back then, it was a nail polish that changed colour if immersed in drinks which were spiked with date rape drugs.

"With our nail polish, any woman will be empowered to discreetly ensure her safety by simply stirring her drink with her finger," the firm said at the time. "If her nail polish changes colour, she'll know that something is wrong."

Undercover Colors initially received praise on social media but then also came under fire from anti-rape campaigners.

"I'm appreciative that young men like want to curb sexual assault, but anything that puts the onus on women to 'discreetly' keep from being raped misses the point," American feminist Jessica Valenti said in a column for The Guardian at the time.

"We should be trying to stop rape, not just individually avoid it."