Drink Spiking Awareness
Drinking spiking awareness. As a new year approaches and we are looking at starting the new year off with a bang. We need to remain vigilant when it comes to our personal safety. Everyone deserves to let their hair down and have some fun, especially at this time of the year. But thinking about what could happen, when we are out is not something we want to think about or dwell on.
But when you’re a woman, things could suddenly go from pure fun to something potentially dangerous. Becoming a victim of assault, harassment or an attack from a potential attacker while out partying is something all women are wary of. As young women, we learn to be cautious of our surroundings, especially when we feel the most relaxed.
So I thought I would take this time to share important safety tips to help keep you safe while out partying. From keeping your friends close, to guarding your drinks. Below are the most crucial things for you to remember.
WHAT IS DRINK SPIKING AWARENESS
When most people think of drink spiking, we tend to assume of someone slipping drugs into alcohol. Unfortunately drink spiking can happen anywhere, including pubs, clubs, parties, festivals and at home. People may spike drinks for a variety of reasons such as. The intent to assault, steal or commit sexual assault. But others may spike drinks as a ‘prank’ to get someone drunk or high because they think it would be funny.
Here in Australia drink spiking is illegal in all Australia states and territories, regardless of the intent. Penalties include fines and imprisonment. This means adding alcohol or other drugs to someone’s drink is against the law. Even if they don’t drink it or the person isn’t harmed.
However, drink spiking can include:
- putting alcohol into drink’s containing no alcohol, such as water or soft drinks
- adding extra alcohol to someone’s beverage
- slipping prescription or illegal drugs (such as tranquillisers, amphetamines or GHB – also called liquid ecstasy) into an alcohol or other drinks.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DRINK SPIKING?
One of the main problems women need to be aware of that you may not even realise your drink has been spiked. Simply by the smell or taste of your drink. This is because the substances used to spike drinks are often colourless and odourless. The symptoms of drink spiking depend on many factors such as the substance or mix of substances used, the dose, your size and weight and how much alcohol you have already consumed.
Symptoms could include:
- feeling like you may pass out or getting sleepy
- feeling like you drunk more than have
- speech difficulties such as slurring
- loss of inhibitions
- losing consciousness
- disorientation or memory loss
- hallucinations or paranoia
- you feel suddenly nausea and experiencing vomiting
- seizures
- an unusually long hangover or a severe hangover when you had little or no alcohol to drink.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT DRINK SPIKING?
We need to stay vigilant about drink spiking which can be placed into a person’s drink. This can lead to sedation, reduce inhibitions even more, and make the person even more of a potential target for sexual abuse. Rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine are three drugs that a person may use to perpetuate date rape by slipping it into someone’s drink without their knowledge. These drugs are typically clear, odorless, mostly tasteless, and colorless. They can cause a person to be unable to move, to lose consciousness, and to suffer from memory loss.
There are simple steps we can take when we are out celebrating in order to prevent this from happening.
Such as the following by understanding drink spiking awareness
- Party with friends who you trust and talk about a safety plan. In order to watch out for each other while at a venue.
- Buy your own drinks and make sure you watch the bartender prepare your drinks.
- Limit your alcohol consumption, especially in unfamiliar situations or environments. As you do not want to participate in risk taking behaviour. Making you less aware of danger.
- Don’t accept any drinks from strangers.
- If you decide to accept a drink from a stranger. Make sure you accompany the person to the bar and take the drink from the bartender yourself.
- Be wary if a stranger buys you a drink especially if it’s not the type of drink you requested.
- Don’t let people push you into drinking more than you want to
- Never ever take your eyes off your drink. If you have to leave the table (to go to the toilet, for example), ask a friend to watch over the drinks.
- If you put your drink on the table while talking, place your hand over the top or keep hold of it .
- Buy drinks that come in bottles with screw-top lids. Carry the bottle in your bag when you go to the toilet or to dance.
- Don’t consume your drink if you think it may have been spiked. Discuss your concerns with the manager or host.
- Tell the manager, bartender or security immediately if you see someone spike a drink or if you suspect that drink spiking may be occurring.
- If you are traveling abroad, be aware of the local area and where you can find help. Drink spiking is a global problem.
- Remember that drink spiking can be done by someone you know, not just a stranger.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN DRUGGED?
If you suspect your drink has been spiked, do not ignore the situation because you feel embarrassed, think that no one is going to believe you or think your been overly suspicious. Tell the manager, security or friend what is happening and if you can. It is also important to try and keep your drink with you, as it could be used as evidence by the police
If your friend has been affected by drink spiking.
Please take the following steps in drink spiking awareness
- Take them to a safe area and stay with them.
- If their condition deteriorates in any way, call an ambulance (e.g. they lose consciousness). Otherwise, take them to the nearest hospital or clinic. Advise the medical staff of your concerns and you think their drink was spiked.
- Arrange for a trusted friend or relative to take them home and stay with them until the drugs have fully left their system.
- Report the incident to the police as soon as possible. They will need to take blood and urine samples. According to research most drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being taken. GHB leaves the body within 12 hours, so it’s important to be tested as soon as possible.
- If drink spiking happens while out on a date, be aware you do not the ability to consent to sex. Then the perpetrator will most likely be guilty of committing rape if the other person is not in a condition to respond or react.
- If you are travelling abroad, get help from a travel representative, local medical services or ask someone to assist you and call the police.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON DRINK SPIKING AWARENESS
Women maybe targeted when they are out on a girls night out or anywhere they are drinking and have their defences down. While alcohol lowers stress and anxiety, and makes a person feel good. You can easily end up drinking more than you originally intended. This amount of alcohol leads to an altered mental and cognitive state that others may take advantage of. A severely intoxicated person cannot provide the necessary consent for a sexual activity to be considered consensual.
Please remember that if you or someone you know has had their drink spiked. It isn’t something to feel guilty or ashamed about. The experience can be scary and affect your physical and mental health, but it is never your fault. Spiking often happens in bars and clubs, but it can happen in other places too, like parties and other social events. Everyone should feel safe to enjoy themselves without worrying that this could happen.
The more information we have the greater protection we have in protecting ourselves and loved ones. I want everyone to have an amazing new years and have the best time of your life. But please remember to stay safe and look out for each other. Be your own hero