Spike-proof RTD to fight date rape

Related tags Drink spiking Date rape drug Rape

by John Harrington A new RTD will soon be launched in a supposedly spike-proof bottle, at a time when drink spiking remains in the media spotlight...

by John Harrington A new RTD will soon be launched in a supposedly spike-proof bottle, at a time when drink spiking remains in the media spotlight after a spate of suspected cases. Bottles of the Stryk range of vodka-based RTDs, from drinks company Student Everything, will feature screw tops and paper seals over the lids ­ making tampering very difficult, the creators say. Drink spiking hit the headlines after a random police test at Chicago Rock in Chelmsford, Essex, found possible traces of "date rape" drugs in 11 out of 200 drinks examined. Since then, further reports of drink spiking have surfaced. More than 40 cases were reported to Swansea Police in the first seven months of this year, it was revealed last week. And police fear drugging was involved in the rape of a 16-year-old student after a night out in Cambridge on 7 November. The launch of Stryk ­ aimed primarily at student bars ­ is backed by a campaign called "Stryk the Spike", which aims to raise awareness of the worrying phenomena. Plasma screens will be fitted in universities giving advice on how to avoid becoming a victim. Creative director Jeremy Agnew urged larger drinks companies to adopt similar safeguards. "We were annoyed that the big companies never thought of the consumers themselves. "We have an ethical stance and are doing this for the drinkers." The new bottle design is supported by Graham Rhodes, chief executive of the Roofie Foundation, which investigates drug rape. He said the screw top and seal are the best measures to reduce the chance of tampering. "At least someone is making an effort," he said. "It amazes me that, given all the publicity, this is the only organisation that has stepped forward. We advise all student unions to stock the product." Other drinks companies contacted by the Morning Advertiser said that the problem should be addressed by the venues ­ not the manufacturers. Stryk, at 5% abv and in 330ml bottles, will be released on 15 December. It will be available in four flavours, each with a different colour. Sniffer dogs used in war on drugs Sniffer dogs are being used to track "date rape" drugs outside venues in Surrey. Surrey Police is training dogs to detect Rohypnol and GHB which are notoriously difficult to spot by taste, smell or sight when added to drinks. The dogs will pick up the scent of the drug then follow the odour to the source. Sniffer dogs will patrol queues outside Surrey's clubs and pubs and around nearby train stations. One dog has been trained so far ­ but others are on the way. A Surrey Police spokesman said the force believes its pack is the first trained to spot the drugs. Supt Kevin Deanus said: "Dogs are becoming a vital part of our war on drugs. We use a variety of breeds and their training is becoming more and more effective." l Two new anti-spiking campaigns launched ­ See Police Five, p5.

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