New straw detects date-rape drugs in drinks

By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

When Worcester Polytechnic Institute grad Mike Abramson went to a Boston club three years ago, he took a sip of his first drink, felt extremely woozy a few minutes later, and quickly realized his drink had been spiked with a drug. That inspired him to invent a product that could detect common “date rape” drugs. With the help of one of his old chemistry professors, the two came up with plastic straws, cups, and stirrers that change color when they come in contact with a drug-laced drink.

Conveniently, Abramson is a patent attorney, so the products have been trademarked and a company, called Drinksavvy, was formed. Now all Abramson needs is enough investors to get the product launched.

Wary partygoers can already purchase a test strip product (not made by Drinksavvy) that can detect date rape drugs, but Abramson pointed out in the video above that many may be reluctant to use it since it’s not discreet.

How offended would you be if your date pulled out a test strip after you handed him or her a drink?

Wouldn’t it be easier for club-hoppers to tote straws in their wallets or purses to slip into a drink when a potential hook-up’s back was turned? Umm. I’m guessing that might be tough to do as well.

What would be nice is if these straws or cups could be made cheaply enough for bars, clubs, and fraternity houses to stock them. Just knowing these products were out there might be enough of a disincentive for a would-be date raper to slip something into a drink.