Use these tricks to protect yourself from KO drops

It’s a fear that’s a constant companion for women when partying: knockout drops in the drink. Even if such an incident is rather an exception, it is better to play it safe: in the subconscious of many women, the behavior has long been stored: never leave your own drink lying around openly. Police don’t have exact figures on knockout-drop crimes, but the number of unreported cases is high, as experts suspect. Because the drops can only be detected in the body for a few hours.

When it comes to knockout drops, the perpetrators, mostly men, must be held accountable. And the patriarchal system in which sexual or physical violence against women also takes place every day in Germany. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are men who rape women. That’s why it’s important for women to know how to protect themselves – including when partying.

We’ve got tips on how to protect yourself from knockout drops and what to do if you suspect it.

A large number of substances that can render a person inoperative, manipulable, defenseless and unconscious are considered knockout drops and drugs – alcohol is also one of them. “If I stuff a person specifically, that’s also a knockout remedy,” says Nina Fuchs, co-founder of the association “KO – No Victim” in the “SZ.”

More than 100 substances have at least rudimentary properties that allow them to be abused as knockout drugs. This includes many drugs that are also abused as party drugs. The knockout drugs include drugs like benzodiazepines, which are actually in sleeping pills and tranquilizers, but are known in the scene as “benzos.”

Drugs used to treat allergy symptoms, depression, and schizophrenia can also be dangerous. Some of these potential knockout drugs unfold their knockout effect when combined with alcohol.

Another party drug most commonly used as a knockout drug is gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), more commonly known as liquid ecstasy. Access to GHB has already been restricted in many countries due to the risk of abuse, but gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), which is actually a cleaning agent, is also widely used.

The tricky thing about KO drops is that it is almost impossible to recognize or taste them in a drink – they are both odorless and tasteless. After admission, the victims are usually helpless and unwilling. Their memory is often gone the next day, like a film tear. It is not uncommon for people to be robbed while using drugs, and women to be raped as well.

It is very difficult to distinguish whether the victim has consumed too much alcohol or received knockout drops. The effects of knockout drops are dose dependent and can range from feelings of euphoria to dizziness to unconsciousness. However, if the person’s condition is deteriorating very quickly, or if you know that he or she has only been drinking, seeking help is a precaution. The colorless, liquid substance can act within ten to thirty minutes and last for about three hours.

To guard against such knockout drops, there are some clever ideas – and unsurprisingly, they’re all made by women.

This small, unobtrusive bracelet looks like a festival wristband – and you can even buy it very easily in the drugstore for only 5.99 euros. The “Xantus Drinkcheck Bracelet” was developed by a small start-up.

The “Drinkcheck bracelet” can detect the substance GHB in two drinks. Nevertheless, some testers already warn that the tool does not work for all fabrics and that the discoloration is not clearly recognizable. The bracelet therefore offers only limited protection against knockout drops.

Florida 16-year-old Shirah Benarde witnessed a girlfriend being drugged with knockout drops. That is why she came up with a simple but ingenious solution to protect the drink against unwanted substances. The “Night Cap” looks like a hair tie, but can be stretched around the drink and largely seals it. Only a small hole for the straw remains as an opening. The “Night Cap” can also be rolled up and carried inconspicuously at any time as a hair tie or bracelet. The invention turns the young American into a millionaire.

Another inventor developed a kind of corona test for drugs after getting knockout drops in the glass herself. In any case, the “KnoNaps” have a strong resemblance – and in fact work like a corona test. You can drip the liquid from the drink onto the test field, if it contains drugs you will see two dashes on the display.

The test targets twelve different substances, including flunitrazepam (Rohypnol or Roofies), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), diazepam (Diastat), temazepam (Restoril), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), and etizolam (Arophlam). .), Triazolam (Halcion), Nitrazepam (Mogadon), Ketamine and Norketamine.

If you can, drive to the nearest emergency room for a blood and urine test or call an ambulance. Important note: GHB and GHL from KO drops can be detected in the blood for about six hours and in the urine for about twelve hours – so twice as long. Otherwise, you may also draw the attention of staff or bystanders to your plight. The question “Is Luisa here?” has become a code word in the club scene. set up to unobtrusively ask for help if you suspect knockout drops falling into your own drink.

If you suspect sexual abuse or rape, be sure to report this to the medical staff so that they can also take a DNA sample. Also contact the police as soon as possible. If you still need help after the incident, there is a special victim support number of the victim association “Weisser Ring”, free of charge and daily between 07:00 and 22:00 on the number 116 006. There are women’s advice centers that can help you after knock- out falls every major city.