New date rape nail polish is not the answer

By Julianna Koballa

@UFPulseKoballa

Nail polish has been a common accessory for girls for the longest time. We obsess over what color, what length and how much time we spend on the appearance of our keratin formalities. We love reds, pinks and the occasional, professional looking French manicure. We have even got into the craze of stick on nail polish and lacquer that changes color in the sun. The newest phenomenon in nail polish is one that changes colors due to contact with a date rape drug.

Four male students who attend North Carolina State are responsible for this investigation and invention. Stephen Gray, Tyler Confrey-Maloney, Ankesh Madan and Tasso Von Windheim are the fantastic four engineering students that named the crazy “Undercover Colors.” Ankesh Madan told Daily Mail that, “all of us have been close to someone who has been through the terrible experience, (of date rape) and we began to focus on preventive solutions, especially those that could be integrated into products women already use.”

It would work simply like this: If a female, or anyone else, felt they were at risk of being drugged, they would simply dip their finger into their drink of choice and the nail polish would tarnish and change from its original color. Specifically, this nail polish is said to recognize Rohypnol, Xanax, and GHB when contact is made. Using this product could give women a sense of confidence and security. However, it can’t be too dependable. Although this beauty product is still under some investigation, and the team’s formula is still not 100 percent right, I too still have concerns.

What comes to my mind is that there are so many known and unknown date-rape drugs available, not just three or four. Anti-depressants and prescription pain killers (opioids) are drugs that are available to almost anyone and that have effects when mixed with alcohol the attacker craves. There are narcotics that people still haven’t recognized as dangerous and effective. Attackers use the “fruity drinks” to their advantage. When women don’t recognize how much they have been consuming just because of the peculiar taste of the beverage, the predator jumps on this opportunity. There isn’t a sure 100 percent way to detect these in beverages. If an individual wants to take part in this manipulative (date-rape) action, they are going to find a way to do it – nail polish or no nail polish worn.

The only way one can go about avoiding putting themselves in this awful situation is to be smart. Don’t drink any beverage you put down, or don’t consume in an unfamiliar environment. Go to parties or events with a group of people you know and trust. To 100 percent avoid such situations, don’t put yourself in them in the first place. This is a decision you can make, and no one should judge you for this sense of responsibility. You know your limits and you have your own levels of comfort.

We mustn’t always put the responsibility and point the finger at the victim. Telling them to not do this or that to avoid such situations is a good idea, but what about the attacker? We must try to stop them in their tracks as well. Rape and advantage actions are never okay. Most of the time it is men victimizing women in these date rape situations. What happened to chivalry and being a respectable man or overall human being? Would you want someone to do that to your sister or eventual daughter? If you expect suspicion, speak up. Date-Rape can be controlled and avoided –nail polish or no nail polish.

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