New Nail Polish Promises to Detect Date Rape Drugs
One of the world's most enduring types of fashion ornaments may soon provide a heightened level of personal empowerment and protection, for women in particular.
A line of nail polish currently being developed under the marketing name Undercover Colors could reveal if one's drink has been spiked with a so-called date rape drug, according to a report by Newsy.
The unique lacquer would change color when it comes in contact with any date rape drug. Meaning, a polish wearer could simply dip a finger into a drink to reveal the apparent intentions of the other sitting across the table.
Developed by four undergraduates at North Caroline State University, the crowd-funded polish has so far earned almost 4,000 likes on the project's Facebook page, which describes the product as the "first fashion company working to prevent sexual assault."
"Our goal is to invent technologies that empower women to protect themselves from this heinous and quietly pervasive crime," stated the inventors on the social media site.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly 1 in 5 women faces rape at some time in their lives. The agency also notes more than one-third of all rapes are suffered by college-aged women -- and date rape drugs, chemical mixtures used to subdue unsuspecting victims, are often used to set up such attacks.
The drugs are characterized as odorless and tasteless and can cause weakness and loss of consciousness, the Newsy report continues.
"Through this nail polish and similar technologies, we hope to make potential perpetrators afraid to spike a woman's drink because there's now a risk that they can get caught," explained the polish's creators, who are currently asking for donations in order to complete their work.
A release date has yet to be set for the product.
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