DRINK SPIKING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ANY AGE, ANY GENDER, AND AT ANY TIME. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER. IF YOU ARE ALREADY REALLY DRUNK IT MAY EVEN GO UNDETECTED BY YOURSELF!
What is drink spiking?
Drink spiking is when a drug is added to a persons drink without them knowing. As the result a person could become intoxicated unexpectedly. What is not known is that spiking with alcohol is the most common form of drink spiking.
Ways to avoid drink spiking
- Always keep an eye on your drinks and never leave them with somebody you don’t trust.
- Avoid sharing drinks, and be wary of accepting drinks from people you don’t know very well. However, remember that many people have their drinks spiked by someone they know.
- Buy your own drinks and know what you are drinking. Do not drink something you did not open, or see opened or poured.
- If you feel dizzy or ill, ask someone you trust to take you to a safe place.
- Try to stick with your group. Potential offenders may try to isolate you from your friends.
- Keep an eye on your friends. If someone collapses and is unconscious, call an ambulance immediately - but do not leave them alone.
- Report the incident - report sexual assault to the police and seek assistance from a counsellor or health centre. Report drink spiking or suspected spiking to venue staff or the police.
- If you suspect that your drink has been spiked, your doctor can assist in testing for the presence of drugs. Traces of certain drugs can be picked up through urine or blood tests within 24 hours.
- You may not be able to see, smell or taste if you drink has been spiked - the drug may be colourless, odourless and may not affect the taste of your drink.
Warning signs:
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Feeling ill or sleepy
- Feeling intoxicated even if you have only had a little alcohol to drink
- Passing out
- Waking up feeling uncomfortable and disoriented, with memory blanks about the night before
