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From left, Patty Johnson of Zonta, Jodi Phillips of COVE, and LPD Capt. Mike Haveman.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The Zonta Club of Ludington has recently given out 100s of beverage drug testing coasters in an effort to prevent date rape. The coasters include two test strips that are designed to detect gamma hydroxybutyrate and ketamine. A person can place a drop of beverage onto the test strips which will show whether that drink contains traces of the drug.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate can induce amnesia and increase suggestibility, making individuals vulnerable to sexual assault. Katamine is a rapid-acting anesthetic that produces a state of disassociation, meaning it creates a feeling of detachment from one’s body and environment.
The Zonta Club of Ludington is part of Zonta International, which is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.
According to Patty Johnson, representing Zonta, the organization purchased 500 of the coasters and has been handing them out at various community functions and events including activities at West Shore Community College and the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The coasters are also available at COVE (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters), 906 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington Police Department, 408 S. Harrison St., and Mason County Sheriff’s Office, 302 N. Delia St.
“The distribution of these coasters presents an opportunity for our community to discuss this topic,” said Ludington Police Capt. Mike Haveman. “We are thankful to the Zonta Club for taking the lead on this.”
For more information on the coasters or about Zonta, visit the club’s Facebook pagehere or email ludingtonzontaclub@yahoo.com.
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