In an era where personal safety is a growing concern, particularly in social environments, a Spanish start-up called Guardians of Beauty has introduced an innovative solution to combat the rising issue of drink spiking. Their product, Drinks Guard, is a rapid and easy-to-use diagnostic test designed to detect whether a drink has been tampered with, offering a vital layer of protection for individuals in social settings.
What is drink spiking?
Drink spiking is a serious and increasingly prevalent issue worldwide. It occurs when an individual’s drink is secretly drugged, typically with substances like GHB (liquid ecstasy), Ketamine, Scopolamine (also known as Burundanga), and other amines. These drugs can induce a range of effects, from lowered inhibitions to memory loss and even unconsciousness.
The disturbing reality is that drink spiking is often linked to criminal activities such as theft, assault and sexual violence, including date rape. Many of these incidents remain unreported, either because victims feel embarrassed or because they are unable to remember key details due to the drugs’ effects.
In response to this growing problem, Guardians of Beauty has developed Drinks Guard, a cutting-edge test that uses CYD technology – short for ‘Check Your Drink’. Originally launched in the UK, CYD technology has been validated by independent laboratories and offers a quick, reliable way to verify the safety of a drink in seconds.
The dangers of drink spiking
Chemical submission drugs used in drink spiking typically take effect within 15 to 30 minutes, and their effects can last for several hours. These substances can impair a person’s physical and mental faculties, leading to symptoms like dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, impaired concentration, and in some cases, complete memory loss. If someone passes out, it can be difficult to gauge the full extent of the drug’s effects, and the aftereffects may linger even after a night’s sleep.
What to do if you suspect your drink has been spiked
If you suspect your drink has been tampered with, the first step is to act quickly:
- Test It: Use the Drinks Guard test to check if your drink has been spiked. The test can detect the presence of drugs like GHB, Ketamine, and Scopolamine.
- Get Help: If you feel unwell or uncertain, seek help from someone you trust – whether it’s a friend, bar staff, security personnel, or medical professionals. If you’re alone, find a safe place and contact someone you trust for assistance.
- Report It: If you suspect you’ve been drugged, report it to the police immediately. In many cases, drugs like GHB leave the body within 12 hours, so timely reporting is critical for evidence collection. If you’re abroad, seek help from local authorities, a travel representative, or hotel staff.
Preventing drink spiking
Prevention is always the best line of defence. Guardians of Beauty advises individuals to stay vigilant in social situations:
- Always keep an eye on your drink.
- Never accept drinks from strangers or drink from someone else’s glass.
- Avoid communal drink sources like punch bowls.
- Go out with trusted friends and look out for one another.
While it’s difficult to detect drink spiking through taste, smell or sight, if you begin to feel unusually intoxicated or unwell, it’s crucial to seek help immediately.
How the Drinks Guard test works
The Drinks Guard test is simple to use. Just apply a drop of your drink onto the test papers – one yellow and one pink. Within seconds, the papers will change colour (to orange or blue) if they detect substances like GHB, Ketamine, Scopolamine, or other amine drugs. The results are immediate and provide peace of mind in potentially dangerous situations.
Where to find Drinks Guard
Drinks Guard is available in pharmacies across Spain, both in-store and online. For those interested in purchasing the test, it can be found at platforms like FarmaWAO.
Raising awareness and educating the public
Raising awareness about drink spiking is crucial. Guardians of Beauty stresses the importance of educating the public on this issue, especially in settings like schools, universities and through social media campaigns. By promoting the use of Drinks Guard, they hope to encourage individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their friends from the dangers of drink spiking.
The company plans to launch more educational campaigns and make Drinks Guard tests widely available, so people can feel safe and confident when they go out.
Expanding reach and partnerships
To extend the impact of their innovative product, Guardians of Beauty is actively seeking partnerships with public bodies, private companies and brands to help distribute Drinks Guard more widely. New formats, such as customizable wristbands and portable test cards, have also been developed to make it easier for people to carry and use the tests in a variety of environments – whether at clubs, festivals or other events.
Through these efforts, the company aims to make drink spiking detection a common safety tool for everyone, helping individuals to enjoy social gatherings without fear.
For more information or to purchase the product, visit Guardians of Beauty’s website or reach out to them directly at: info@guardiansofbeauty.com.
This is a Spotlight Feature in collaboration with Guardians of Beauty / Drinks Guard.
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