Beer mat spots 'date rape' drug

A beer mat which detects the two most common date-rape drugs by having a few drops of spiked drink spilt on it could be in pubs "within three weeks", the company that developed it said today.

The mat is an almost immediate test for the presence of GHB and a class of drugs which includes Rohypnol and Temazepam.

Both classes of substance, when combined with alcohol, leave victims open to any suggestion, and induce amnesia that can be long-term or permanent.

Made by a firm called Surescreen Diagnostics, the mat has four small, white or yellow windows on it which change colour if a drop of spiked drink falls on the sensitive areas. Versions which test only for alcohol are also available.

"They are developed and ready to go," said Jim Campbell, the company's managing director. "We could be delivering them in three weeks."

The mats cost about 60p to produce and the company aims to discuss their use with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries soon.

The Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Northern Ireland police forces have also expressed interest.

According to the Roofie Foundation, a charity which helps victims of drug-assisted date rape, the mats are by far the best testing method yet developed.

The charity gets reports from up to 900 people a year saying they have been victims.