Drug detection strips are now available to students in the Stonewall Resource Center (SRC). The strips test for the drugs Ketamine and GHB and are a response to allegations in March of date-rape drugs being present at the annual 100 Days party hosted for fourth years.
A student affiliated with the SRC purchased the strips out of concern for other students, according to Micho Adler, assistant director for intercultural affairs and LGBTQIA+ student specialist. Adler said the student assumed a formal approval process with the Division of Student Affairs might take significantly longer than purchasing the test strips with their personal funds.
While SRC does not fund these testing strips, Adler said they would support the addition of testing strips to the SRC’s annual budget if students find them helpful.
“We’re trying to feel out what interest there is for this, and see if that is something that works,” Adler said.
The 100 Days party is an off-campus event known for a tradition where attendees wear wristbands signaling they are willing to kiss, or be kissed by other attendees. At this spring’s party, five students reported feeling the effects of date-rape drugs.
Statements from the five students were compiled into a report submitted to the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and the Title IX Office. The S&B could not determine if any student reported a sexual assault while feeling the effects of date-rape drugs. College administrators are unable to comment on ongoing Title IX investigations.
The testing strips are Drink Safe Technologies, and do not test for the common date-rape drug Rohypnol.
Tim Hammond, associate dean for health and wellness, said neither Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) nor the Sexual Health Information Center (SHIC) will carry strips because testing strips are not reliable in testing for the presence of date-rape drugs, and also do not test for all substances that may be used to spike drinks.
“It’s really important to know you’re not going to catch every potential drug that may spike your drink,” he said.
Hammond said testing strips may provide a “false sense of security,” which could make the College liable for damages. He could not provide an example of litigation where a college or university was found liable for damages after providing date-rape detection strips.
It’s really important to know you’re not going to catch every potential drug that may spike your drink.
— Tim Hammond, associate dean for health and wellness
“This is not to say ‘don’t use them,’ just to know there is no guarantee your drink is safe,” he said.
Jada Fife `24, a member of Grinnell Advocates leadership, said Grinnell Advocates supports having test strips available on campus. Grinnell Advocates provides peer-to-peer support for students in need of assistance navigating sexual assault or dating violence.
“Not until this most recent incident have we really recognized that it’s happening on our campus,” Pfife said, referring to 100 Days. “We’re in favor of having testing strips.”
libby e • May 1, 2024 at 4:50 pm
for the record — shaw told shic the same thing about plan b and std testing and sex toys. having them available would put liability on the college—but legalese tells us that if you give something away for “free” the liability is on the manufacturer not the distributor. it’s stupid to suggest offering something that could save lives isnt worth the liability or the “false sense of security.” educate people, we also requested fentanyl and narcan strips and training (illegal in iowa OTC unless we are given funds to do a training) and they had the same argument. shaw actively leaves students without easily accessible and affordable resources for their own comfort.