In a world-first, self-testing drink spiking kits will now be available at police stations across the State.
It's the hoped the kits will help WA Police catch and convict sexual offenders who often drug their victims.
Testing will be available at any 24-hour police station in the metropolitan area and in regional WA.
The kits can identify over 600 drugs/drug metabolites.
Prompt testing is a must as some drugs are only detectable in a person’s system for 12-hours from ingestion.
If the test shows a positive result, the person can then decide if they wish report the offence to police and/or seek counselling from other agencies.
Acting Commander Gordon Fairman said WA Police take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously and have ongoing investigations to determine the causes of reported incidents, and identify any perpetrators.
“Being spiked is never the fault of the victim and we are keen to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice," Acting Commander Fairman said.
"The positive impact of more members of the public coming forward when they suspect they have been spiked will enable us to investigate these incidents more comprehensively, and it is hoped the new kits will allow us to tackle evidence threshold issues more effectively than ever before."
Recently, WA Sex Assault Squad detectives arrested and charged two men who between them allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted 23 women.
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