Public Protection

About drink spiking

Drink spiking is when someone adds drugs or alcohol to a person’s drink without their knowledge or permission.

Spiking a drink – whether with an extra shot of alcohol or another substance – is a serious crime. Anyone that does it could face serious criminal charges, and it can have very dangerous consequences for the health of the person whose drink is spiked.

Any drug can be used to spike drinks – some examples are Rohypnol, Valium or GHB – but the most commonly used substance is alcohol.

Why do people spike drinks?

There are many reasons why people spike drinks – and it’s not always done with malicious intent, but it is always unacceptable. It could be a friend thinking they are doing you a favour by adding extra alcohol to your drink. It may be someone pranking you or who (wrongly) thinks it’s a funny thing to do. Regardless of the intent of the perpetrator, drink spiking can result in horrific consequences. Sexual assault, rape, robbery and even death are possible outcomes, whether or not they were the objective of the spiker.

How do you know if you’ve been spiked?

If somebody tells you that they think they’ve been spiked, it’s essential to believe them, even if they seem okay to you. Symptoms can vary depending on the individual, the substance and what they’ve drunk that night already.

Because of the wide range of substances used to spike drinks, there are many different reported symptoms.

These include but are not limited to:

• Lowered inhibitions
• Loss of balance
• Feeling sleepy
• Nausea/vomiting
• Visual problems
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Breathing problems
• Feeling drunker than you should be

Being spiked is never your own fault – what to do

If you think you or a friend has been spiked it’s important to tell someone as soon as you can:

• Alert a member of staff or security if you're at a venue.
• Stay with your friend and keep talking to them.
• Don’t let them go home on their own or leave with someone you don’t know.
• Report to the police online Online Reporting Form | Police Scotland , on 101 or, in an emergency, call 999.

If you or someone else have symptoms

• If you are worried call 111.
• Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse.

If you think there may have been a sexual assault

• You should report a sexual assault to the police who will support you – in an emergency, phone 999. For non-emergencies, phone 101..
• You should phone the sexual assault self-referral phone service (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) on 0800 148 88 88. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles. The sexual assault self-referral phone service can refer you to a local healthcare professional at a sexual assault response co-ordination service (SARCS). After you phone, the healthcare professional at the SARCS will phone you back to discuss and arrange your care.
• Letting people know gives the best chance of looking after you and gathering any evidence where a crime may have taken place.

Spiking can take several forms

The most common, and well-known, is for drugs or alcohol to be slipped into somebody’s drink, to make them more intoxicated without their knowing. So-called ‘date-rape drugs’ such as Rohypnol are used to sedate victims, rendering them more vulnerable to physical and sexual assault, while recreational drugs such as Ketamine or LSD can incapacitate somebody, confusing them and making them lose inhibition or even memory. These drugs are worsened by the additional effects of alcohol.

Attackers can also use needles to inject drugs into people, particularly in busy clubs or parties. If you suspect you’ve been injected with a dirty needle, you must seek urgent medical attention, because HIV and Hepatitis B don’t care if it was your intention or somebody else’s. Remember: spiking is still spiking even if you’re ‘just’ turning a friend’s single vodka into a double without their knowledge. It’s a criminal offence, and highly dangerous.

The morning after

If a friend had been spiked the night before, they will likely feel confused and vulnerable, particularly if they can’t remember the night before. If a friend was spiked, talk with them about what happened and how they’re feeling now. If they feel up to it, you can report the incident to the venue and the police. Many spiking substances don’t show up in the body after 12 to 72 hours, so this should be done quickly if possible. However, making a report can be draining and harrowing for a someone who’s experienced being spiked, so don’t pressure them – and if they do file a report, work through it with them.

How to avoid drink spiking

Drink spiking can happen in any situation, at home or on a night out. However, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

• Never leave your drink unattended, whether it’s alcoholic or not
• Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know · Avoid drinking too much by sticking to the UK low risk drinking guidelines
• Stick together with friends, and look out for each other
• Use a drink cap or spiking test kits.