Drink and Needle Spiking

Spiking occurs when alcohol or drugs are put into a person’s body without their knowledge or consent.

Here are some ways to help keep you and your friends safe:

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 have not seen being prepared in front of you. Never leave your drink unattended, even for a moment, and if it does not taste right, do not 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 are drinking with strangers

When you go out for an evening you never know who you are going to meet, so always 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 are going.

Be a drink buddy

If you are out with a friend, or friends, keep an eye out for them. If they appear to be more drunk than you would expect, dizzy or slurring their words, take control and make sure they are okay. If you are concerned, make sure they either get medical help or get home safely.

Report it

Click here to report incidents online.

If you believe you have been spiked, seek medical attention if you require it and notify police as soon as you can.

The sooner evidence is gathered, the more chance officers have in identifying and bringing offenders to justice.