WHAT IS DRINK SPIKING / INJECTION SPIKING?
Drinks spiked with alcohol or drugs can make a person seriously vulnerable. Spiking someone’s drink carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence in the UK.
Anyone can be a victim of spiking and it is not always connected to sexual assault.
If you do think you have also been a victim of sexual assault you can find out further information here: I have experienced sexual violence - Report + Support - Robert Gordon University (rgu.ac.uk)
Drink Spiking is when a substance is added to a drink without the drinker's knowledge or consent to make them vulnerable. This could be recreational/party drugs, such as Ecstasy and LSD, and/or other drugs such as Rohypnol (Roofie) and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), being added to drinks and which can sedate/incapacitate a person. It could also be additional shots of alcohol being added to drinks without the persons knowledge or consent to make them stronger. It is hard to tell if a drink has been tampered with, as these drugs can be odourless, colourless and tasteless.
Injection Spiking is when a drug is administered directly into a person via a needle without the persons knowledge or consent to make them vulnerable. Injection Spiking can pose additional health risks due to its use of a needle. Reports of this method of spiking are rare however Police Scotland have recently begun conducting enquiries following a handful of reports across the country. We encourage students to be vigilant and to contact the emergency services (999) and/or NHS (111) if you think you have been spiked by injection.
Spiking can be done for a variety of reasons, which could include theft, sexual assault, rape or even done as a "prank/joke". However, administering a substance to a person without their knowledge or consent is likely to be considered a criminal act and any student reported to have carried out this kind of activity shall be liable to criminal proceedings and/or disciplinary proceedings from the Union/University.
Some effects of substances can be felt/seen relatively quickly (after 15-30mins) and some symptoms can last for several hours. If you, or your friend, feel strange, not normal and/or are noticeably more drunk than what you would consider usual for the amount of alcohol consumed, then seek assistance straight away - contact a trusted friend or relative (or NHS 24 or the Police)
We encourage students to remain vigilant when out partying. When having nights out or socials, aim to inform trusted friends or relatives where you are going and when you'll be back, and always think twice before accepting drinks (or other substances) from strangers wherever possible.
FIND OUT MORE:
Drinkaware – Drink Spiking and Date Rape Drugs.
STAYING SAFE
Anti-Spiking Caps
Rape Crisis Grampian have supplied the Union with Anti-Spiking Caps which seal bottles to prevent pills and illicit substances being slipped into a drink. They still allow for use of a straw, and they are brightly coloured and glow under UV light.
RGU:Union, courtesy of Rape Crisis Grampian, can provide Anti-Spiking Caps free of charge.
Click here to order Anti-Spiking Caps.
CYD Spiked Drink Test
'Check Your Drink' Spiked Drink Tests can be used to test drinks for traces of illicit substances. The tests work by dabbing a finger/straw/stirrer into a drink, putting a drop of liquid onto a test patch and checking for a colour change.
RGU:Union provides CYD Spiked Drink Tests free of charge.
Click here to order CYD Spiked Drink Tests.