Three Teen Girls Created A Straw That Detects Date Rape Drugs

In the United States, every 98 seconds another American woman, man, or child is sexually assaulted, according to RAINN. Sometimes, no alcohol or drugs are involved at all. Sometimes, victims drink alcohol or take drugs intentionally and a rapist takes advantage of their incapacitation. And other times, the victim is drugged without their knowledge. 

Date rape drugs often have no smell or taste so that people can't tell if they're being drugged. These powerful drugs can make people feel weak and confused and lose consciousness, all of which make it easier for an assailant to sexually assault his or her victim. Because these drugs are often slipped into drinks, three high school girls came up with a simple invention to help prevent drug-facilitated sexual assault: straws. 

Susana Cappello, Carolina Baigorri, and Victoria Roca have developed Smart Straws which change color when they detect one of the three most commonly used date rape substances — Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine.