Boston man to sell straws that can detect date-rape drug

By adamg on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 7:25pm

WGBH interviews Michael Abramson, "in a bar overlooking the harbor in South Boston's Seaport neighborhood," about his color-changing, anti-date-rape straws and cups.

Several years ago, City Councilor Steve Murphy proposed serving cocktails in sippy cups as a way to block date-rape drugs.

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Comments

Just seeking funds

By Markk02474 on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 7:49pm.

Beware of people looking to take your money with concepts products, yet no working prototypes. No drugging required! Abramson suggests the cup or straw could detect drugs like GHB without saying he has a prototype that can detect any potential date rape like drugs. He's just trying to leverage off the term date rape drug much like LE does when trying to stigmatize.

Sippy cups in bars is a better idea. I hate people bumping into me and my drink getting spilled on them and the floor. Somebody might then slip and fall, suing the bar owner.

There is a prototype that detects GHB

By Know your facts before you spe... on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 11:14pm.

In case you were interested in knowing the truth before you slander Abramson, there is a prototype that detects GHB, one of the most common date rape drugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

He already raised $52k from a crowdfunding website (www.indiegogo.com/drinksavvy) and has already hired two professors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute to help perfect the prototype. This is not an attempt to raise money, but rather awareness of the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Sorry, I flashblock video

By Markk02474 on Sat, 07/27/2013 - 1:38am.

With no mention of a prototype in the text that I could find on the web sites, it seems like a pipe dream. If there is a working prototype, how sensitive is the test compared to drug concentrations needed to sedate a victim? With NIK GHB kits going for about $5 each and DrinkSafe ones slightly under $1/test on Amazon, making attractively affordable Solo cups or straws for drinks in dimly lit bars might be a challenge. Another challenge is the chemical composition of drinks which might interfere with tests, such as dairy based drinks, acidic drinks, various enzymes in fresh fruits etc. I also hope the test itself is non-toxic, tasteless, and odorless.

I don't oppose the cause, just question the practicality and how people will make investments without reading a prospectus or business plan first, though many do.

Note to web site authors: Don't assume people waste their time watching videos and flash content. Include the content in text also.

The content was there, even

By anon on Sat, 07/27/2013 - 9:58am.

The content was there, even if you didn't watch it—I understand though, you must have been busy dicking around with the lid on your sippy cup of beer ...

That sippy cup story

By anon on Sat, 07/27/2013 - 9:16am.

is one of the best thing's I've read in awhile.

"How am I going to get the olive out of my martini with a cocktail cover?" Councilor John Tobin said jokingly. "How about we do crazy straws, like the squiggly ones? Or why don't we just give everyone a thermos, or a fanny pack that you slide your drink into?"

"Murphy, who got the idea for the measure after watching an "NBC Dateline" special on date-rape drugs..."