College Student Invents Napkin That Protects People From Date Rape Drugs

By Tom Ozimek
January 31, 2018 Last Updated: January 31, 2018
A George Washington University student has developed a napkin that detects date rape drugs left inside a drink. (CC0)

A college student in Washington, D.C. has developed a new method of detecting whether a drink has been tainted with date rape drugs.

“No one should have to worry about having their drink laced,” stated Danya Sherman, inventor of a napkin that detects these types of drugs.

According to Fox 5, Danya Sherman created a napkin that apparently can detect commonly-used date rape drugs by putting a drop of the liquid from the drink onto the napkin.

A change in color means the drink is drugged.

Sherman told she came up with the “KnoNap” napkin after someone she considered a friend allegedly drugged and assaulted her in 2016.

“Seventy percent of sexual assaults occur between two people who know each other and with that in mind, we wanted to create a product that could be seamlessly incorporated into any social setting,” Sherman told Fox 5.

Danya Sherman, creator of an invention that can tell if a drink has been laced with a date rape drug. (Image via www.knonap.com)

The idea to use a napkin came from how commonplace and handy they are.

“Napkins are always around alcohol. They are always in bars and clubs and we’re working to have them integrated into fraternities, social events and social organizations,” Sherman said.

Using a napkin also means that a person who suspects they’re being targeted can test the liquid without drawing attention to themselves and respond to the threat on their own terms.

“They’re also easy to carry around in either a pocket or purse so they’re very portable and can be taken anywhere so if you’re uncomfortable, you’re able to take it out and use it at your own discretion,” said Sherman.

The innovation stands alongside others that also aim to protect women from sexual predators.

The Epoch Times recently reported on an invention by a man in India, which uses a device concealed in a shoe to notify the police and stun an attacker with an electric charge strong enough to allow the would-be victim to escape.

Sherman hopes to make her solution available to women in 2018.

 

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