Please place a referral on the agenda to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to discuss the City’s potential purchase of “Date Rape Drug” detection cards, which could be distributed at large special events, area hotels, city parks, beaches, and other areas, in an effort to raise awareness and protect women who may be vulnerable to date rape drugs.

Research shows that about 11 million women are survivors of rape while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Date rape drug detection cards are designed to detect the possible presence of the illicit and commonly used "Date Rape Drugs" such as Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Rohypnol, and Ketamine, in a person’s drink.

At its July 14, 2023 meeting, the Miami Beach Commission for Women adopted a unanimous motion urging the City Commission to direct the City to purchase Date Rape Drug Detection cards and distribute them as they see fit, in order to help reduce the number of rapes that occur in the City of Miami Beach.

Accordingly, as part of this item, I would ask for the Administration to research the costs of purchasing the cards, and to make recommendations to the Committee regarding how many cards should be purchased for potential distribution at events, hotels and other areas.