Local non-profits provide tool to help protect your open drink

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – A couple of non-profits are teaming up to give women a tool that helps protect their drinks.

Date rape drugs are a discrete way for predators to target victims at bars, restaurants, and parties. Experts say it only takes a few moments to spike someone’s drink.

“Somebody can set their drink down. An individual was saying this summer, she said I was drinking soda, I just set it down for a few minutes to dance with a friend, and bam, it happened that fast,” Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program Coordinator Rochelle Kyle said.

So how can you protect your drink when it’s not in your hand?

The Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program and the United Way of Northwest Florida are giving away something that will help. It’s a free scrunchie cup cover.

“They are quite comfortable, flexible, washable, all of those things, and they’re cute. You can put them in your hair. You can put them on your wrist. You can slip them off in a matter of minutes and just slip it onto your drink cover and then push it up to the top,” Kyle said.

The cup cover is made of stretchy, durable material that can fit almost any cup, creating a barrier between your drink and almost any foreign substance.

“I think it’s safe for people to have this extra measure of protection to keep them from harm and to have something that says, oh, this is another safeguard for me,” Kyle said.

Bar owner Judd Manuel said he supports patrons using cup covers.

“It’s a weird world out there and we’re a tourist town, and we get plenty of people come through that you don’t necessarily know. I think that anything that people would like to do that makes them feel safe and comfortable, I’m for it,” Manuel said.

It’s still important to use common sense.

“Keep eyes on your stuff, have your friends around, do that kind of thing. Obviously, report anything if you ever think that something’s up,” Manuel said.

Both organizations are passing out the cup covers at local events. Again, they are free. If you’d like one or want to know more about the Gulf Coast sexual assault program, click here .

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