MALAGA will be giving out over 3,000 drug-detecting bracelets to people at the summer feria as part of a new scheme to reduce spiking incidents.
The bracelets can be collected at Puntos Violeta (designated support and information points for women), at the Malaga feria in Real Cortijo de Torres, the out of town area where the feria is held each year.
The yearly event attracts thousands of attendees – running from Aug 14 to Aug 22 – with celebrations across Malaga’s historic centre and the Cortijo de Torres.
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The bracelet will be able to detect substances including GHB, Ketamine, Scopolomine, and MDMA, which are common drugs used in the spiking scene.
A&E doctor Patricia Aleman said cases of people coming in drugged against their consent is not uncommon in the emergency department.
“It’s very rare to have a week where nobody comes in because they have been spiked.” She says.
This doesn’t necessarily mean there are more incidents, Aleman clarifies, but that there is a greater awareness around the issue.
Data shows that Malaga records a rape case every two days – with reports having increased sevenfold over the past decade.
The bracelet works by putting a droplet of drink onto the sensors, and waiting three seconds for a colour change.
The bracelet also includes a QR code with instructions on how to use it, how to interpret results, and what to do if a substance is detected.
However, doctors stress that the bracelets do not replace medical toxicological tests.
The initiative was launched by the Medical College of Malaga in collaboration with the city council and the Unicaja Foundation.
The move is warmly welcomed by The Olive Press, where we revived our ‘Smash the Spiking’ campaign, encouraging local businesses to take action against spiking, creating safer environments for customers, especially in the busy summer season.
Anyone who suspects their drink may have been spiked should immediately stop drinking it, keep the glass as evidence, and seek medical attention immediately.
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