How to avoid having your drink spiked

Questions are constantly asked on how to wipe out drug rape - unfortunately there is no easy answer. Many believe that the only way to fight it is to educate the general public with massive awareness campaigns that will, hopefully instigate safe drinking policies for individuals, parties and for these practices to be supported by pubs, bars and clubs. The advice offered includes -

  • Plan your night out, including the journey there and back.
  • Make sure that someone knows where you are and what time you are expected home.
  • When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone. Friends can watch out for each other.
  • If there is a group of you appoint a nominated drinks-watcher, probably the same person who is the nominated driver.
  • Remember, alcohol affects your actions and your reactions as well as your ability to be alert. The worse you are for drink the less likely you are to spot something suspicious.
  • Stay aware of what is going on around you and keep away from situations that you do not feel comfortable with.
  • Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.
  • If you do wish to accept a drink from someone make sure it is in a bottle and that the bottle is opened in front of you - better still open it yourself, always carry your own bottle opener.
  • Do not share or exchange drinks.
  • Always drink from a bottle - it is far more difficult to drop a drug into a bottle than it is to drop a drug into a glass.
  • Never drink left over drinks, or drinks discarded by someone else.
  • Don’t leave your drink unattended, when going onto the dance floor and especially when going to the toilet.
  • Think very carefully whether you should leave the pub, club, or party with someone you’ve just met.
  • If you begin to feel really drunk after only a drink or two seek help from a trusted friend or a senior/responsible member of the club or pub management.
  • If you think you have been spiked if possible telephone a friend, relation, parent, or partner to come and fetch you. It is very important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible.
  • Ensure you have absolute trust in the person you seek help from no matter how long you have known them.
  • Remember drug rape can and does happen to men as well as women.
  • Do not accept a cigarette from anybody. Only light and smoke your own.

If you think you may have been the victim of ‘drug rape’ - you should contact the Police without delay as no case can go forward unless forensic blood and urine tests are taken - as GHB passes through the body in 12 hours and Rohypnol in 48 hours it is vital that this evidence is gathered as soon as possible.

If you are in no condition or have not yet decided to report the matter to the police, it is possible to take your own blood and urine samples providing that you keep them refrigerated in sterile containers for no more than two or three days.

How to tell, and what to do if you’ve been spiked

Everyone is aware of their own, personal tolerance to alcohol. If you feel odd, nauseous, slightly drunk, tipsy or wasted after only a couple of drinks, or you know that you cannot be drunk, there is more than a chance that your drink has been spiked. If so get yourself immediately to a place of safety.

If you are with a close friend tell them of your worries, get them to get you out of the place as soon as possible and to get you home either in their car or by cab. Once safely home ask them to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off.

However be very sure that you implicitly trust the person or friend you are asking. Many victims have been raped by people they know, in many cases by work mates and colleagues, in some cases friends of friends or acquaintances, and in many cases the person they were on a date with that night.

If you are alone or with a stranger go to the landlord or pub/bar manager and tell them of your fears.

It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible, get the landlord to put you in his private accommodation or an office whilst they ring a taxi or a friend, or your parents to get you home safely.

If at all possible always make sure that you are accompanied by a trusted friend.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LET A STRANGER OR ACQUAINTANCE OFFER TO HELP YOU OR TAKE YOU ANYWHERE - INCLUDING TO YOUR OWN HOME THEY COULD WELL BE THE PERSON WHO SPIKED YOUR DRINK AND BE THE RAPIST.

The Drink Detective™

There is now a reliable product to combat drug-assisted rape. The Drink Detective is a matchbox size test for drinks, which gives clear indication as to whether the drink has been spiked with GHB, Rohypnol, or Ketamine. Of course, people are not expected to use the test on every drink, but only when in suspicion. Most importantly though, it shows the potential rapist that there is a danger of being caught, making it no longer a risk free crime. People carrying this product will be less likely to have their drink spiked.

Of course, this product shouldn’t take away the individual’s common sense, or remove their responsibility to drink safely.

The Drink Detective: http://www.drinkdetective.com/