Students go viral on TikTok with product idea to prevent harm from drink spiking
That’s the goal of five Wellington students who developed the idea as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme, with the aim of preventing drink spiking and drug-facilitated sexual assault.
The dipstick product, which is in the initial concept phase, has been named Testli.
It contains the chemicals potassium hydroxide and 1,3-dinitrobenzene which, when placed in liquid, will react if the drug Rohypnol, a sedative often referred to as roofies, or any other benzodiazepines are present.
If the drugs are present, part of the stick will change colour, alerting the user their drink had been tampered with.
Since sharing the idea for the product online, the year 13 Wellington East Girls’ College students – Ava Richardson-Lane, Jessica Corney, Sylvie Kynaston, Sophie Roberston and Ella Watt – have garnered more than 1.5 million views on the social media platform TikTok.
They have accrued about 8900 followers and the group has received several offers of donations to get the product off the ground.
They hope the product could act as a “safety net” for those drinking in bars or public places, as well as act as a deterrent for people considering spiking drinks.
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