The Pozuelo de Alarcón City Council will distribute over a hundred dice similar to ice cubes that detect drugs such as burundanga in drinks. The pilot test will take place during the Carmen festivities, this Friday and Saturday at the Prados de Torrejón Park.
Pozuelo de Alarcón becomes the first municipality in the Community of Madrid to test a pioneering system against chemical submission. The City Council, in collaboration with the local company Narxcup, has launched an initiative consisting of a die similar to an ice cube capable of detecting and neutralising drugs such as burundanga, GHB, liquid ecstasy, MDMA or barbiturates. The test is part of the festivities of Our Lady of Carmen, which begin this Friday and will last until Saturday.
A cube that changes colour and thickens the drink
The device, made from a superabsorbent polymer, reacts within seconds upon contact with any drug substance. Upon detection, it turns the liquid into a dense gel that prevents drinking and deactivates the chemical compounds. Additionally, the drink changes to a deep blue colour and acquires a bitter and unpleasant taste, serving as a visual and gustatory alert for the person.
According to the City Council, the aim is to prevent possible cases of chemical submission, especially among young people attending the festivities and concerts. The initiative also acts as a deterrent measure against potential aggressors, who know that their victims may be protected.
Over a hundred dice distributed at an information tent
The distribution of these dice will take place this Friday and Saturday at a tent set up in the Prados de Torrejón Park, the epicentre of the festivities. There, attendees will be able to collect one of the more than a hundred available samples for free. Additionally, games and prevention dynamics regarding alcohol and other substance consumption have been organised to raise awareness among the younger audience.
The company Narxcup, based in Pozuelo and involving several local entrepreneurs, has been responsible for developing and patenting this system. Its partner and business development director, Santiago Marquina, has noted that many town councils and music festivals have already shown interest in the product. “It’s a convenient, simple, and effective method that can save many people from vulnerable situations,” he stated.
Pozuelo, the safest city in the region
The third deputy mayor and head of the Festivities area, Almudena Ruiz, has highlighted that “we are already the safest city in the entire region and we want to continue being so during our festivities as well.” Ruiz emphasised that, although cases of chemical submission are “very infrequent” in Pozuelo, the council wants to “do everything possible to ensure the maximum safety of our residents.”
“That’s why we are going to test this method, as simple as it is effective, to avoid situations that, although very infrequent in Pozuelo, compel us to do everything possible to guarantee the maximum safety of our residents,” declared Almudena Ruiz.
The initiative has been well received by residents, who see this system as a useful tool to enjoy the festivities with peace of mind. Many young people have already approached the tent to inform themselves and collect their die, aware that prevention is key in a context where chemical submission has become an increasing social concern.
The City Council has announced that if the pilot test proves satisfactory, it could be extended to other celebrations in the municipality, such as neighbourhood festivities or Christmas. For now, attendees at the Carmen festivities have the opportunity to try this made-in-Pozuelo invention that, besides providing protection, encourages reflection on the importance of safety in nightlife.
Those interested can visit the tent at Prados de Torrejón Park from 20:00 to 00:00 hours on both Friday and Saturday. There, in addition to the die, they will receive information on how to act in case of suspected chemical submission and the resources available in the municipality, such as the Purple Point for victims of sexual assault.
You may also like
