Commissioner Laura Dominguez placed a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) on the July 26, 2023 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss the Miami Beach Commission for Women’s motion at their July 14, 2023 meeting regarding the purchase of date rape drug detection cards and a potential plan for their distribution throughout the city. The motion is as follows:

In order to help reduce the number of rapes that occur in the City of Miami Beach the Miami Beach Commission for Women urges the City Commission to direct the City of Miami Beach to purchase Date Rape Drug Detection cards and distribute them as they see fit.

Motion Passage: Unanimously (16-0, 2 members absent)

The item was heard by the FERC on October 16, 2023 and was referred back to commission with a unanimous positive recommendation to adopt and implement the pilot program for one year and report back to the Commission.

The acquisition of “date rape” drug detection cards for distribution is a community awareness initiative to provide a mechanism by which unsuspecting victims can determine if their drinks have been tampered with. The cards or drink coasters utilize a technology that upon encountering a laced beverage will change color and detect Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Ketamine, two drugs often used to incapacitate individuals and commit sexual crimes, such as date rape.

While rape due to GHB and Ketamine incapacitation is not particularly widespread within the City of Miami Beach, drug detection cards could be a valuable tool through which to further support the prevention efforts by the City and the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD).

Preliminary research has identified a potential sole source vendor that prices their bulk products with a 25% discount between $2,250 and $2,400 for 2,000 pieces. (Print material for large scale events in the City normally begin at 5,000 pieces.) The cards can be personalized with logos and colors preferences as well as drug disclaimers to meet the needs of the City. Potential deployment contingent on procurement processes could be slated as part of the Spring Break and/or Memorial Day Weekend activations by Good Will Ambassadors and the City in conjunction with entertainment, hotel and business improvement districts and associations.

If adopted, the Parks & Recreation Department is prepared to work with MBPD on identifying locations and assisting with the distribution of drug detection cards at City parks.

In addition, the Tourism & Culture Department (TCD), regularly communicates with the Special Events and Hospitality industries and over the course of the year would collaborate with producers and hotel management to determine feasibility of displaying and/or distributing the drug detection materials with a goal of reaching as many attendees and hotel guests as possible.