PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
It is not 9 p.m. and many bars are overflowing on Saint-Laurent Boulevard on Thursday evening. This is where the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) decided to start its campaign to distribute glass protectors, aimed at preventing unintentional poisoning and encouraging safer alcohol consumption. Between now and the summer, the SPVM, in partnership with Éduc’alcool and the Ministry of Public Security, plans to distribute 10,000 of these glass protectors in various bars and festive events in the city.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
These glass protectors were created a year ago by TUP, a young Quebec company. So far, they have been distributed to student associations and in certain bars in Quebec, explains Audrey Buteau, co-founder (right). “It allows us to stay in control of what goes into our glasses,” she explains. Because with the pandemic, we’ve had enough trouble. People have the right to have fun! »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The aluminum circle bearing the words “Check your glass” adheres to the edge of the container, regardless of its size. Once installed, it makes everything watertight, except for a small central hole created by the insertion of the straw. We can then go let off steam on the dance floor without fear! “It allows you to combine business with pleasure,” says Benjamin Allen, co-founder of TUP (previous photo).
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
And it’s really waterproof, enthuses Nina Vargas while doing a test. At his side, in the subdued atmosphere of the Shaker, boulevard Saint-Laurent, Marilou Lapierre adds: “I find the idea really interesting. With that, we are able to go dancing, and it’s also a matter of security. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
This is only a first step in the fight against the scourge of involuntary poisoning, pleads the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, present for the occasion. Other announcements should follow “in the coming weeks”, indicates the minister, in particular on the increase in the number of places accessible to victims for screening for GHB in blood or urine.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The project began a year ago, when the founders of TUP contacted Éduc’alcool, at the same time as the SPVM, recalls Geneviève Desautels, Executive Director of Éduc’alcool. The organization decided to participate in the project and to add a component of awareness of poisoning, in a broader way, she explains. On the glass protector, a QR code leads to the Educ’alcool Alcoholator tool.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The goal, continues Mme Desautels is about creating demand, so that it becomes customary to receive glass in this way. “I think it’s super cool! reacts Mélanie Houssin, seated at the Shaker. Especially when you’re in a busier place, where you don’t always have an eye on your drink. “Really, it should become automatic everywhere,” adds Élise Bousquet, at his side.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The distribution of Check ton verre glass protectors by the SPVM will continue in the coming weeks. Marco Breton, commander of the sexual exploitation and morality section at the SPVM, hopes that the campaign will also help prevent the use of illicit drugs among young people in the city. “We have to make them aware,” he said.