It’s disturbing that something like this even had to be invented, but this is the world we live in. Researchers at South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University have developed a skin-borne sticker that can detect Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a drug used to spike people’s drinks for the purposes of robbery or sexual assault. When ingested, GHB—which is colorless and tasteless—puts victims in an intoxicated stupor.
Currently, GHB test strips exist, but these can take up to two minutes to indicate the presence of GHB. The tattoo-like sticker developed by the researchers, however, is instantaneous.
The wearer dips their finger in their drink and places a droplet on the sticker. In the presence of GHB, it turns red—and remains that way for up to 30 days, which could prove beneficial as proof in criminal proceedings.
It should be noted that the sticker detects GHB only and not Rohypnol, another drug abused for the same purpose. There’s no word on whether a Rohypnol-detecting sticker is in the works.
Perhaps in future, nightclubs will present these stickers to patrons at the door, in place of a stamp. The researchers way the stickers are easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and “could be commercially available soon.”