Three girls developed 'smart straw' to detect drugs entering a drink to prevent date rape

ByLisa Fotios

Three girls attending high school in the US / Miami are developing straws that can detect drugs often used in date rapes through classes. Three ideas of "smart straw" have won the business plan contest conducted by the newspaper publisher Miami Herald and are attracting attention.

Gulliver Prep's "Smart Straws" team wins Business Plan Challenge | Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/business-plan-challenge/article148821294.html

Teens Invent Straws That Can Detect Most Common Date Rape Drugs
http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/23497-teens-invent-straws-that-can-detect-most-common-date-rape-drugs

Susana Cappello, Carolina Baigorri, Victoria Roca who developed a smart straw reflected in the picture.


Smart straw is often used as "date rape drag"KetamineWhenGHB. When straws are inserted in alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks, the color of the straw does not change unless drug is contained ....


If the drug is contained, the straw turns blue and discolors.


The idea of ​​three people is "Miami Herald" newspaper company in Miami, USA "Business Plan Challenge"I won a superb triumph in the contest called. There are other tools to check whether the drinks that are served are safe, but smart straw is also a point that you can use it without being regarded as distrust from the surroundings even at the bar etc. Also, it was distributed at institutions such as universities and hospitals, it was possible to put it in the bag for the time of emergency, it seems that the judge judged that the point that it is simple and practical is "wonderful". One of the judges recommended that they apply for patents to girls to prevent this idea from being copied to others.

Cappello, Baigorri, and Roca, private high schoolGulliver SchoolsDiscussed ideas in the classes of International Business & Entrepreneurship Program and developed products. Originally I thought about as a drug detection tool to prevent date rape was an accessory that could detect drugs in drinks. However, when we conducted questionnaires for students at Northwestern University, we received poor ideas, whereas in the form of a straw, 85% of the subjects said that they wanted to use it. So, as the first prototype, I made a straw to detect ketamine and GHB.

The problem of date rape among boys and girls is getting bigger and Cappello says, "I do not think that this straw will be a solution for all, but I believe that we can reduce risks and mitigate risks I will tell you.


Three people plan to improve straws such as increasing the types of drugs that can be detected in the future, and he seems to be listening to the manufacturer who actually manufactures drug test kits. In addition, it is planned to acquire patents, to go to universities, clinics, etc. to listen to actual voices. Cappello said that the goal of the project is to "be able to understand exactly what is going on in people's circumstances" and that they will be able to understand what is happening.

Roca's grandfather is the founder of 'Digitel' who conducts telecommunication business in Venezuela, mothers also entrepreneurs and themselves have helped cousin's app business so far, Cappello is The LAB Miami He has a father who works as an investor and he himself has been involved in the business of The LAB Miami so far. Mr. Baigorri has also seen her uncle and aunt starting business soon, he says, "If things really have a passion for something, things will work." Three in the middle of learning about entrepreneurship at school said that it is important to "have confidence, practice over and over, know what is interesting and show passion".