Danish invention instantly analyses potentially spiked drinks

An increasing number of people suspect that their drinks are being drugged when they are out on the town partying

Stephen Gadd

Cases of drugs being introduced into your drink when you are on the dancefloor are unfortunate features of today’s nightlife, if figures compiled by the advisory centre Giftlinjen at Copenhagen’s Bispebjerg Hospital are to be believed.

The figures reveal that since 2010, the number of cases reported of people who suspect their drinks have been tampered with has quadrupled from 45 in 2010 to 190 last year.

READ MORE: Record number of Danes having their drinks spiked

Beam me up
Step forward Ulrik Merrild. He is the Danish administrative director of a company called Drugster and the brains behind a new invention consisting of a pen-sized scanner that can analyse a drink in 2-5 seconds to check for foreign substances, reports BT.

READ MORE: Danish company eager to produce date-rape nail polish

 

“Every substance leaves a fingerprint, so by holding the pen over the drink and shining it down in it, you can see whether rohypnol, fantasy, or any other drug has been added,” said Merrild.

Based on a spectroscopic technique, the pen shines a light into the liquid which is reflected back into the pen where a chip is activated. The chip contains data from thousands of tests and is therefore able to detect whether the drink contains substances such as fantasy, MDMA, rohypnol, ketamine or other drugs.

READ MORE: Danish company developing bracelet able to detect drugs in your drink

When commercially available, the Drugster pen is expected to cost around 1,000 kroner.

TOP STORIES

  • Photo story: Meet the internationals at Reffen Street Food

    Photo story: Meet the internationals at Reffen Street Food

    The weather is brightening and Reffen Street Food – an open-air market out on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen – is gearing up for a busy summer. With a multitude of stands from all around the world, the market is packed with talented international entrepreneurs and chefs.

  • 9 out of 10 new hires in Denmark are internationals

    9 out of 10 new hires in Denmark are internationals

    Internationals account for as much as 87 percent of the growth in national employment, according to new figures from Dansk Industri.

  • Volunteering – a way into Danish communities

    Volunteering – a way into Danish communities

    As an international arriving to Denmark, finding social connections is hard. That’s why the International House Copenhagen organized a volunteer night, to find a perfect match to connect and contribute to the Danish society.

  • The future of work in Denmark and the EU

    The future of work in Denmark and the EU

    With the European Parliament elections in June, and skilled labour shortages being felt across the EU, political debate on the future of work and migration has intensified. Here, Kathrine Richter, EP candidate for the pan-European political party Volt, talks about whether Denmark is doing enough to reform its labour market and compete with other member states to attract foreign professionals.

  • Sweden’s failed integration stirs strong emotion in Danish parallel societies debate

    Sweden’s failed integration stirs strong emotion in Danish parallel societies debate

    A remarkable speech by the immigration speaker of Socialdemokratiet sparks fierce debate in the leading government party.

  • Restaurants call out Danish diners’ behaviour

    Restaurants call out Danish diners’ behaviour

    Copenhagen restaurants are seeing high rates of no-show reservations, according to the hospitality trade association Horesta. Several sector workers argue that no-shows should pay a cash penalty.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs