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Albury, NSW leading 'world-first gold standard' to combat drink spiking
Australian Community Media
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7 months ago
Albury venues are the first in Australia to introduce a rapid drink spiking test, capable of detecting drugs like GHB and Ketamine in under five minutes. Here's how the SureScreen Diagnostics test works and where it's available.
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00:00
Recently, the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research released its report
00:05
for drink spiking data, and between September 2014 to October 2024, reported incidents have
00:12
risen up to 140 per cent, with a 10 per cent increase just in the last year alone.
00:18
Furthermore, call proceedings within 30 days for drink spiking incidents remain at an average
00:23
of just 1.6 per cent over that same 10-year period.
00:28
Hotspots for spiking in New South Wales include Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney City,
00:34
Greater Sydney, with Wollongong amongst the worst affected areas.
00:38
Over the past seven years, New South Wales has launched several awareness campaigns,
00:43
advising people to watch their drinks, not to leave your drink unattended, and to look
00:48
out for your mates.
00:49
But despite these efforts, drink spiking incidents continue to rise, and a more innovative, effective
00:55
solution is required.
00:57
Now recently, Shorescreen Diagnostics has developed the world's first lateral flow test
01:02
for the rapid detection of common substances used in drink spiking.
01:06
This test now enables bar staff and security to act swiftly, mitigate and intervene any
01:12
suspected beverage tampering incidents.
01:15
The test detects GHB, ketamine and 22 different types of benzodiazepines, including rehypnol.
01:22
A small beverage sample is taken mixed with an extraction buffer, and three drops are
01:27
applied to each of the two sample weathers.
01:30
The sample migrates upward through a capillary reaction, producing immediate results.
01:35
The rapid beverage test provides clear, rapid results without false positives caused by
01:41
tonic water, lagers, grenadine, red wines or fruit juices.
01:47
The sensitivity is over 10 times greater than the previous technologies we've seen for detecting
01:53
ketamine at lower concentrations, and performs even higher with benzodiazepines with a much
02:00
greater sensitivity.
02:02
The test is based on the same highly sensitive drug detection technology used for forensic
02:07
urine analysis, and we've transferred this technology into a beverage safety device.
02:13
So unlike other devices that rely on high limits of detection and may miss harmful substances
02:18
at lower doses, the Shorescreen Diagnostics device measures these substances at the one-thousandth
02:25
of a microgram per milliliter, offering a much-needed layer of protection, particularly
02:30
for those individuals with lower body mass.
02:33
You cannot quantify the number of would-be offenders that the rapid test would deter
02:38
once rolled out within the night-time economy.
02:42
The Albury Liquor Accord is leading the way as the first local government to implement
02:46
the MRBT into their venues.
02:49
If we trust lethal flow technology for public health control, then why not use the technology
02:53
to protect vulnerable people out having a great night from this cowardly crime, especially
02:59
young women?
03:01
Liquor and gaming are aware of the test and its applicability of implementing it for effective
03:06
harm minimisation strategies to address alcohol and other drug-related crimes within our communities.
03:13
Previous measures have proven insufficient, and overlooking this opportunity to introduce
03:18
a real solution not only falls short of the public's expectations, but it really doesn't
03:24
pass the pub test.
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