Picture this: you're out with friends at a bar, the music is loud, the night is young. You leave your drink unattended for a moment to dance, and when you return, you discreetly dip a small test strip into your cocktail. No colour change—your drink is safe.
This is the vision the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is working to bring to life: a simple yet powerful tool designed to help people protect themselves from the risk of drink spiking. With ease of use and accessibility at its core, the goal is to provide peace of mind and an added layer of security in social settings. A small step, but one that could have a lasting impact in preventing drink spiking and reducing drug and sexual harm.
Fantasy-type drugs
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-type substances—more commonly known as Fantasy or Fantasy-type drugs—have seen a significant rise in use across New Zealand in recent years. Classified as Class B (high risk), GHB is a neurochemical compound that naturally occurs in the body. First synthesised in 1960, it has been used in several countries as a general anaesthetic and in the treatment of various medical conditions.
These substances can impair memory, slow reaction times, and induce drowsiness, and have been linked to a variety of dangerous situations, including drink spiking in the context of assaults. The challenge is the drugs are often colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it nearly impossible for individuals to detect when their drink has been tampered with.
A game-changing solution: quick, fluorescent paper-based testing
An interdisciplinary team led by ESR scientists Dr. Anindita Sen and Dr. Rachel Fleming, in collaboration with Dr. Justin Hodgkiss from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, is working to develop the portable, paper-based fluorescent test for Fantasy-type substances. The project has received $1 million in funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) ‘Smart Ideas’ Endeavour Fund. The goal is to create a fast, reliable, and accessible tool to help reduce drug-related harm.
Designed to be compact—about the size of a credit card—the test will feature a base piece with replaceable strips to detect trace amounts of Fantasy-type substances. With affordability and ease of use in mind, the team is developing it specifically for high-risk settings like bars, clubs, and parties, to offer a fast and reliable safeguard against drink spiking.
ESR Senior Research Scientist Anindita Sen says, “Importantly the test will be optimised for challenging sample types, including coloured beverages, and will create an opportunity for disruptive impact”
What ESR researchers hope sets this test apart is its ease of use—making it accessible to a wide range of potential users, from concerned individuals to hospitality staff, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals.
Collaboration across sectors to maximise Impact
A key strength of this project lies in its collaborative approach. The funding from MBIE will allow the team to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the hospitality sector, community services, and border and law enforcement agencies. By working directly with these groups, the researchers aim to ensure the test meets the practical needs of those who are most at risk or involved in reducing drug harm.
MBIE Smart Ideas funding aims to allow scientists to test innovative projects with a high potential to benefit New Zealand.