As of July 1, California bars serving alcohol must offer customers test strips to detect date rape drugs in their drinks. Assembly Bill No. 1013 requires businesses with type 48 liquor licenses to display signs informing customers of the availability of these drug testing kits. The kits can come in the form of test strips, stickers, or straws that detect substances like flunitrazepam, ketamine, and GHB. GHB is a dangerous drug often mixed into alcoholic beverages and can lead to increased passivity and susceptibility to suggestions.
The bill aims to combat drug-facilitated sexual assault, as at least 50% of student sexual assaults involve alcohol, and approximately 90% of rapes committed by acquaintances involve alcohol. In response to the new law, Assembly member Josh Lowenthal has expressed plans to introduce another bill to bring test strips to community colleges and state universities. The businesses offering these kits will not be held responsible for inaccurate results but must ensure that the kits have not expired. This legislation is seen as a step towards protecting the community, especially young people, from the dangers of date rape drugs.
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