It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been pubbing or clubbing, spiking is an increasingly serious problem that can happen to anyone!
In 2003, there were 5,278 women who reported to have been victims of drug related rape and sexual abuse through their drink being spiked. In 2004 reports had increased by 600 when the Roofie Foundation received 5,878 reports. The figures show a continuous rise through the years for both women and men. Since 2005 no other statistics have been gathered, however the Roofie Foundation have raised concerns that there is likely to be another rise when smoking bans in pubs and clubs come into place in July of this year.
Since the no smoking ban has been present in Scotland the Roofie Foundation has received a 20% increase in the reports of drink spiking. Their concern is that when people go for a cigarette they leave their drink unattended or with people that can’t be trusted. Some of you may be thinking ‘take your drink with you’ however with street bans on alcohol consumption in some towns e.g. Newquay, people who do manage to sneak their drinks out, will possibly receive an on-the-spot fine.
The Roofie Foundation strongly suggest that people finish their drink rather than leaving it, however if you do leave it, make sure it is with someone you trust and know well.
1. How many chances do you want to give a drink spiker.
2. Leaving your drink unattended when you dance
3. Leaving your drink when you go to the loo
4. Not watching your drink when you’re chatting to your mates
5. From July, leaving your drink to go for a cigarette
6. Letting them get you a drink.
7. What do you do if it happens to you?
Pubs and clubs were the highest reported venue for spiking to take place. 2,036 people reported being spiked in a pub while 1,368 people reported being spiked in a club.
Most people are aware of their own personal tolerance to alcohol (or how many drinks they can have before throwing up) so if you feel that you should not be as drunk as you feel or you feel more nauseous or odd than you should for a couple of drinks it is important to tell someone you trust and make sure you are in a safe place.
Remember to not allow a stranger or someone you barely know to help you home or anywhere - there are many incidents where people have been attacked after being taken home.
If you think you may have been spiked it is important to:
· Find someone you trust
· If you can’t, speak to a staff member
· Don’t leave on your own
· Never leave with a stranger
· Try and report it to the police as soon as possible because the drug can pass through your system in 12 hours
It is difficult to tell if you have been spiked as many of the symptoms are similar to being drunk, only you know how you feel so it is important to try and tell someone as soon as possible. If someone spikes your drink it is very hard to see and taste as drugs used such as GHB, Rohypnol and Progesterix are tasteless, colourless and odourless. It is important you don’t let your drink out of your sight but if you have to, leave it with a mate you trust. Try to drink out of a bottle as it makes it harder to drop something in.
Some clues to whether your drink has been spiked could be:
· Your drink tastes salty or bitter
· You feel like you’re losing control
· You experience hallucinations or an odd dizziness
· You or your friend loses more inhibition than usual
· Memory loss, loss of understandable speech, aggression
BE SAFE
· Stay in a group
· Have a designated ‘sober person’ in your group
· Don’t leave drinks unattended
· Don’t accept drinks from strangers
· Look out for each other
· Plan your journey home
So, if you’re feeling or begin to feel a lot more wasted than normal or you notice a mate is acting out of character such as being:
· violent
· out of control
· suddenly unable to walk
· hallucinating
· liable to memory loss
Tell a mate you trust and a member of staff. You could have been SPIKED, ask for the Police.
If you would like to report an incident and do not feel confident or you would like more info on spiking and drug rape you can contact the Roofie Foundation on their 24hr helpline 0800 783 2980 or visit their website www.roofie.com
All calls are confidential and they have a no phone back policy. Some campsites will organise transport for you or provide a bus - ask at Reception. In the summer it can be really difficult to get a taxi due to the amount of people so pre booking / pre pay is a good way of staying safe and avoiding the massive wait.
Cigarettes soaked in embalming fluid have most recently emerged as a form of date drug. ‘Fry’ are tobacco or marijuana cigarettes dipped in any drug, alcohol or solvent. The smoker inhales the mixture into the lungs and it is absorbed instantly, passing straight to the brain. The effect is almost instant and can be long lasting- it can kill.
Do not accept a cigarette from anyone. Only smoke and light your own!
Comments
Do you have any comments to add to this article? Do you agree with what's been said? Have you experienced the same issue? Have you got any advice you'd like to pass on to other eefo.net users? If so, then please click below... Your comment will be added to the bottom of this article.
Rate this article
Services
Enter your keywords and choose either a specific area or leave as 'all regions'
Newsletter Signup
EEFO goes Mobile! You can now search and read content from this website on your web enabled mobile phones. Visit this site - www.eefo.net.