The Arona City Council will distribute during the festivities of the International Carnival of Christians 3,100 bracelets designed to detect drugs in beverages as a preventative measure against potential cases of chemical submission.
In a statement, the Councillor for Festivals and Security, Alexis Gómez, outlines that this initiative is a first in the Canary Islands, and that the bracelets are user-friendly: if anyone suspects that their drink has been tampered with, it is sufficient to wet their finger in the drink and swipe it over the test incorporated into the bracelet.
The results will appear within moments, and if the bracelet turns orange, it signals the presence of narcotics in the drink.
“Statistics show that one in three assaults is linked to chemical submission, and in nine out of ten instances, women are the victims. Therefore, this device enhances the safety of participants at our carnival,” states Gómez.
The ‘Sentinela bracelets’, which are to be distributed at the ‘Violet Punto’, feature a QR code that not only marks a geolocation point but also provides access to an interactive guide of available resources.
This device can identify over 20 types of drugs; by simply placing a drop of the drink on the bracelet, it can detect these substances and alert users to the dangers associated.
Specifically, the bracelet carries out two tests, the first capable of detecting up to 22 types of drugs, and the second test targets GHB, the most commonly employed substance for chemical submission, which is a potent depressant of the central nervous system.
When interfaced with a mobile phone, the bracelet can automatically call the 112 emergency services or relevant authorities.
