The Drink Detective is a simple to use test developed specially for detecting all the most common drugs put into drinks to facilitate drink spiking and drug rape.
The G test detects particular changes in most drinks caused by spiking with clandestine GHB. A drink adulterated with illicitly manufactured GHB will instantly turn the G paper blue; the paper with most drinks will remain pink. Only a few drinks, like those which are oily or milk like and have the same property as illicit GHB and will give a false positive reaction.
Ketamine is a chemical known as a secondary amine. It can be detected with a special reagent in the K test, with little cross reactivity to other substances in drinks. These drugs produce a red/pink colour change. If no drug is present the paper will usually turn a white or grey colour. This test has proved to be very sensitive, but since the positive reaction is a red/pink colour, take care not to confuse a slight red/pink tint from the natural colour in red wine and orange juice. Positive results are obvious.
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a group of widely used drugs, and so are freely available. Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®) is a sleeping pill also used as a sedative and a pre-anaesthetic drug. It has the effect of causing drowsiness and amnesia. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium) are common benzos. The B strip is an immunoassay, and uses antibodies, instead of chemicals, to detect drugs. The benzo in a drink will interact with the test strip to produce lines on the test area. One line means the drug is present (positive), two lines means it is absent (negative). The antibodies are affected by high concentrations of alcohol and so may not work with some neat spirits, but in this case no lines at all will form. However this type of drink is unlikely to be spiked.
The kit can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated (2-30°C). The Drink Detective should remain in the sealed pouch until use. DO NOT FREEZE. Do not use beyond the expiry date.
(Please refer to the illustration on the test)
An instant blue colour indicates the presence of illicit GHB in a quantity likely to cause a harmful effect.
An instant red/pink colour indicates the presence of ketamine in a quantity likely to cause a harmful effect.
One or two lines will develop within a minute or so.
Their
interpretation is as follows:
NEGATIVE: Two lines appear. This negative result indicates that the drink is free from benzos or else the benzo level is below the detectable level (500 ng/mL). The line on the right side is a ‘control line’ which confirms sufficient specimen volume, adequate membrane wicking and correct procedural technique. *NOTE: The shade of red of the left hand test line may vary, but it should be considered negative whenever there is even a faint pink line.
POSITIVE: One red line appears No line appears in the test region (T). This positive result indicates that the benzo concentration exceeds the detectable level (500 ng/mL).
INVALID: No lines appear. Insufficient specimen volume or incorrect procedural techniques are the most likely reasons for test failure. Review the procedure and repeat the test using a new test. If the problem persists, contact your local distributor.
The Drink Detective gives a qualitative, presumptive analytical test result. If you wish to take legal action on the results a more specific alternate chemical method must be used in order to obtain a confirmed analytical result. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the preferred confirmatory method. Professional judgment should be applied to any positive result. Consider seeking help from the Drink Spiking Hotline described on the product pack.
Further Details including performance characteristics of the tests, Non-Cross reacting compounds and tested drinks are available in the Technical insert included with the test.
