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