A British firm has developed a new test that can detect the presence of the ‘date-rape drug Rohypnol in drinks. Dipitin, developed by SureScreen  Diagnostics contains three testing strips and sells for $7.22. The company says the test is more than 99 percent accurate. The test strip utilizes immunoassay  technology, which incorporates antibodies 1 known to react to the drugs ingredients into a membrane on a testing stick. If the drug is present, the stick turns red.Also, the strip does not work against gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), another type of date-rape’ drug.

The test strip is effective on all types of drinks, including coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol. “We have spent a lot of time finding the right antibodies that could cope with high levels of alcohol and the acids in fizzy drinks and fruit juices,” said Jim Campbell, a forensic scientist with SureScreen Diagnostics. However, the test may not work on drinks with extremely high alcohol levels, such as shots of distilled spirits.