We all know someone who has experience with drugging. Thankfully, most cases of drink spiking don’t end tragically… but they can: rape, robbery or even death are all reported outcomes, so the consequences can be utterly devastating. With your help, we can try to put an end to this issue in our society.
Here are some safety measures for you to remember to keep yourself from getting drugged:
❌ Don’t go out drinking alone. Go out with your friends and watch out for one another.
🍸 Never leave your drinks unattended – perhaps appoint a drinks watcher.
✋ Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
👅 Don’t drink or taste anyone else’s drink.
🍾 Consider sticking to bottled drinks and avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails.
💥 Throw your drink away if you think it tastes strange or different.
🗯 If you think your drink has been spiked, don’t drink it – tell a trusted friend or relative immediately.
👦🏻 When in bars or clubs, get your drink directly from the bartender and watch it being poured.
🥤 Remember soft drinks can also be a target for drink spiking.
👀 Keep your eyes and ears open. If there’s talk of date rape drugs or friends seem too drunk for what they have actually downed, leave immediately and don’t go back!
🏃♂️ Don’t spend time alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Follow your instincts and remove yourself from situations that you don’t feel good about.
📍 Don’t give out your address to someone you’ve just met.
📷 Avoid taking expensive equipment with you or anything that could be a target for thieves.
💬 Before going out, let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to be home.
🏠 Make plans for your journey home, if possible at the beginning of your evening.
🌎 If you are traveling abroad, be aware of the local area and where you can find help. Don’t forget that drugging is a global problem.
🚨 Be aware of what’s going on around you and try to stay in control.
Unfortunately, sometimes the odds aren’t in our favor and regardless of being aware of our surroundings we might still happen to get drugged. Then what to do if you suspect that you’ve been drugged?
🫂 Get help from a friend you trust, a relative or a senior member of staff if you are in a club or pub.
☎️ If you need urgent help, call 112.
❓ Be careful of accepting help from a stranger and don’t leave with someone you don’t know.
🏥 Ask a close friend to get you out of the venue or party as soon as possible and either take you home or to a hospital (if seriously unwell). You could also ring a friend, relative or partner and ask them to come and pick you up.
🛏 Go to a place of safety as soon as possible; but only go home with someone you totally trust.
🏡 Once you are safely home ask someone to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off – this might take several hours.
🚨 Don’t hesitate to call for medical help if you need it – it’s always better to get checked out.
👮♀️ Report it to the police as soon as you can. They will need to take blood and urine samples. Most drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being taken (the date rape drug GHB leaves the body within 12 hours), so it’s important to be tested as soon as possible.
✈️ If you are abroad, get help from a travel representative, local medical services or ask a bar or hotel manager to call local police.
Sources:
- “Drink Spiking.” Checkyourdrink Drink Spiking Test. CYD & CYD Limited, May 4, 2022. https://checkyourdrink.co.uk/drink-spiking/.
- “Spiking – How to Protect Yourself on a Night Out.” FRANK. Accessed December 11, 2022. https://www.talktofrank.com/news/spiking.
- “What Is Drink Spiking?” What is drink spiking? – Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Alcohol and Drug Foundation, May 3, 2021. https://adf.org.au/insights/what-is-drink-spiking/.