Seoul: A temporary "tattoo" could provide partygoers looking for a safe night out with a secret indicator to detect drugs often used to spike drinks in public bars and clubs. Rohypnol - also called a "roofie" - and GHB, sometimes referred to as "liquid ecstasy" or "fantasy," are commonly used club drugs, especially among young people in nightlife settings. Despite the feeling of relaxation or euphoria these drugs can produce, excessive doses can lead to serious symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, and memory impairment. These drugs are illegal in many countries, including the United States, UK, and Australia.

According to Deutsche Welle, there are existing products that help identify spiked drinks, usually in the form of strips that change color when dipped into a drink. However, these methods can take minutes and may leave individuals vulnerable due to their conspicuous nature. The new rapid test, developed by materials scientists funded by the South Korean government, offers an alternative. Resembling a tattoo, the product is actually a removable sticker that allows for a quick and subtle identification of GHB. The silicone sticker film contains a solution with an iodide indicator called BHEI, which changes color from yellow to red when exposed to GHB.

Reported results indicate that the stickers change color almost instantaneously when exposed to drops of GHB in beverages like whisky, vodka, beer, or coffee. Users only need to expose the sticker to a droplet of their drink to see the change, as it is sensitive enough to detect as little as 0.01 milligrams of GHB per milliliter. The study's authors highlighted this innovation as a proactive solution for preventing drug-facilitated sexual assault and enhancing personal safety.

Despite the promise of this technology, further testing is required. Past sensors for detecting date rape drugs, such as the fluorescent sensor platform developed by the National University of Singapore, and a US startup's quick test disc, demonstrate the interest in this area. However, Kabrena Rodda, a forensic toxicologist at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory in the US, cautioned that spot tests can sometimes yield high false positive rates. This may lead individuals to avoid safe drinks unnecessarily and foster inaccurate beliefs about GHB spiking. Nevertheless, Rodda praised the sticker test by the Korean researchers as "praiseworthy and important."

A venture company has been established to bring the product to market in South Korea, but there are limitations in customization and adaptability for other drugs. Gyeong-Ji Kim, the study's lead author from Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, noted that while customization is possible, it is technically constrained. The development of receptors for other substances like opioids or synthetic cannabinoids could expand the platform's capabilities in the future.