Schools in Italy distribute drug-detecting wristbands
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Italian pharmacies and school officials began distributing 400 single-use wristbands to students at a high school in Portogruaro, Italy, to detect the presence of date rape drugs.
Federfarma Veneto and Federfarma Venezia, led by president Andrea Bellon, launched the initiative after successfully distributing 2,500 similar devices in pharmacies across Venice in March 2026 for International Women’s Day. The groups aim to expand the program nationwide by collaborating with the Ministry of Education.
The wristbands contain a reactive strip that changes color when exposed to ketamine or GHB, substances often used to incapacitate victims. Students can test their drinks by applying a drop to the band. Along with the wristbands, schools will host discussions about gender-based violence and health risks. A study by Italy’s National Dependence and Addiction Center found the bands reliably detect ketamine in gin-based drinks, but are less effective at identifying GHB.
The research also revealed the bands do not detect benzodiazepines or MDMA, and that citrus or dark beverages can produce false positives. Simona Pichini, director of the center, suggested the bands could be improved by displaying a symbol rather than relying on color change for easier visibility in low-light settings. Similar prevention kits have also been distributed in cities across Europe, including Spain, France, and Germany.
