Friday 05-08-2022 - 10:51

What is spiking?

Spiking is when a person's drink has something added to it to make them more vulnerable for a variety of motives, including theft and sexual assault.

Drinks can be spiked with several things:

• Alcohol
• 'Date Rape' drugs
• Illegal drugs
• Presciption drugs (e.g. stimulants, tranquilisers, sedatives, opiates)

Drink spiking can happen to any kind of drink, alocoholic or non-alcoholic. The effects can be unpredictable but are likely to be more serious if someone who has had their drink spiked has also consumed alcohol or other drugs. This is because of the combination of effects from different drugs working at the same time.

Shots of alcohol could be added to drinks to make them stronger, causing someone to get drunk much quicker that expected. Or sometimes drinks can be spiked with drugs that are specifically designed to incapacitate someone.

Because there are no official statistics, it is difficult to know the true extent of the crime. Often people don't report drink spiking because they can't remember the details or they feel too embarrassed.

It is important to be able to recognise the signs you drink has been spiked or how to help someone if you think they have been a victim.

Symtoms of drink spiking

The effects of drink spiking vary depending on what you've been spiked with. Your symptoms could include:

• Lowered inhabitions
• Loss of balance
• Feeling sleepy
• Visual problems
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

The symptoms and their severity can vary depending on the amount of substance used, your size and weight and how much alcohol has been consumed. If you or a friend start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, get help straight away.

How to get help if you think you have been spiked

• If you start feeling strange, sick or more drunk that you feel you should be, seek help from a trusted friend or venue management
• If you think you've been spiked, get a close friend to take you home or to hospital if you are feeling seriously unwell. Or ring a friend, relative or partner to come and pick you up
• If you feel unsafe, threatened or vulnerable go to venue dtaff and ask for 'Angela'. This is a widely known code wor to say you need help and the staff will assist you. You will see 'Ask Angela' posters in a lot of toilet areas in bars and clubs
• Make sure you can trust the person you ask for help
• Once you are home safe, ask someone to stay with you, if possible, until the effects wear off, which could take several hours
• Don't hesitate to contact medical help if you need it. Make sure you tell police what has happened

Tips to stay safe

• Plan your night out, including the trip there and back
• Make sure the venue you are going to is licensed - all venues are required to take steps to ensure safety of their customers
• Avoid going alone if you can or meet up with someone you know. Friends can look out for one another
• Stay aware of what is going on around you and keep away from situations that make you uncomfortable
• Think carefully about leaving a venue with someone you have just met
• Make sure your mobile phone as a full charge before you go out and keep it safe

How to avoid drink spiking

• Always buy your own drinks and watch it being poured
• Don't accept drinks from strangers
• Never leave your drink unattended
• Don't drink or taste anyone else's drink
• Throw away your drink if you think it tastes odd
• Use anti-spiking devices such as Nightcap covers, Drinksafe covers, bottle stoppers and test strip

 

If you want more information about spiking go to talktofrank.com or drinkaware.co.uk