Drink spiking
We’ve been working hard with local bars and clubs to raise awareness of drink spiking. You can help reporting suspicious behaviour to bar staff, knowing the signs of spiking and knowing what to do if you think someone has been spiked.
The more people are on the lookout for this crime the less people are likely to do it.
The effects of drink spiking vary depending on what you’ve been spiked with. Your symptoms could include:
- Lowered inhibitions
- Loss of balance
- Feeling sleepy
- Visual problems
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
How to help a friend who you think has been spiked:
- Tell a bar manager, bouncer or member of staff
- Stay with them and keep talking to them
- Call an ambulance if their condition deteriorates
- Don’t let them go home on their own
- Don’t let them leave with someone you don’t know or trust
- Don’t let them drink more alcohol - this could lead to more serious problems
Drink spiking is illegal and could land you with a 10 year prison sentence. It’s also extremely dangerous and can have serious consequences for someone else; you don’t know how there body will react.
If you believe someone you know may be involved in spiking and drugging, call them out. If you are suspicious about someone’s behaviour in a bar or other venue tell a member of staff.
Reporting someone may avoid much more serious outcomes for the perpetrator and intended victims.
- Call us on 101 with information.
- If a crime is in progress or someone is in imminent danger call 999 immediately.
- Provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Never lose sight of your drink
It can take only minutes for someone to feel the effects of a spiked drink. Memory loss can be a side effect of many of the drugs used to spike drinks. Many victims are unaware of what has happened to them, and have very little memory of the incident, if any at all.
The best way to protect yourself and your friends from being spiked is to be aware of what you consume and never take a drink that you haven’t seen being prepared in front of you. Never leave your drink unattended, even for a moment, and if it doesn’t taste right, don’t finish it.
If you or your friends start to feel strange or unwell then you should get help and seek medical advice straight away.
Be vigilant if you're drinking with strangers
When you go out for an evening you never know who you’re going to meet, so always keep your wits about you. If someone appears to be over-friendly and eager to get you to drink, be vigilant.
If you get separated from your friends in a bar, pub or club, let them know where you are. If you happen to meet new company and they ask you to go on somewhere else, introduce them to your friends and tell them where you’re going.