drinksavvy cups indicate the presence of date rape drugs

drinksavvy cups indicate the presence of date rape drugs
images courtesy of drinksavvy

drinksavvy is a set of plastic drinking cups and cocktail stirrers that automatically change color in the presence of a date rape drug. boston-based inventor michael abramson, with the help of two worcester polytechnic institute professors, developed a technology that integrated sensing materials the plastic of cup and straws, which would indicate when a liquid is present with GHB, rohypnol or ketamine, colloquially known as roofies. the changing colors would signal to a victim when a drink is safe or unsafe to consume, providing a discrete auto-monitoring of your beverage. the line of plastic-ware could potentially help circumvent sexual assault that is facilitated by the powerful drugs.

the plastic straws will change color if they detect the presence of date rape drugs

the tasteless, colorless, and odorless characteristics of date rape drugs make them nearly impossible to detect. abramson was targeted at a bar three years ago, unknowingly drugged and left unconscious until the following morning. after his experience, he resolved to come up with a solution for future victims. the line of plastic-ware hopes to appeal to a broad audience, particularly college students, by making the set complete with products that people already use — party cups, glasses, straws, stirrers, and swizzle sticks. drinksavvy was successfully funded by indiegogo in 2012, and next month will begin shipping the first batch of drinking straws and plastic cups. the company anticipates selling their line of cocktail-ware to the general public by 2014.

drinksavvy will develop glassware that will indicate with striped lines when a chemical substance is present

watch the video of the original prototype of the drinksavvy cup change color, as abramson pours a date-rape-drug-infused liquid into the vessel, below: