Drink spiking occurs when a drug is covertly placed in a person's drink in order to sedate or incapacitate them.
Young women are the usual targets of drink spiking and the harms resulting include sexual assault, robbery and unsafe sex.
Drugs Used
A number of drugs have been identified in drink spiking incidents, with alcohol (ethanol) being by far the most common. Other drugs that have been identified include Benzodiazepines, Rohypnol and GHB (Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate).
The effects of drink spiking will vary depending on the characteristics of the individual (eg physical size, gender and whether other drugs have been taken) and the drug (e.g. type, amount used and purity).
Common effects include:
- Nausea.
- Loss of memory (amnesia).
- Dizziness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Conscious but paralysed.
- Muscle relaxation.
- Euphoria.
- Sedation.
Drink spiking can occur. To avoid this happening to you:
- Always buy your own drink and watch it being poured.
- Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
- Never leave your drink unattended while you dance or go to the toilet.
- Don’t drink or taste anyone else's drink.
- Dispose of your drink if you think it tastes odd.
- Look out for your friends.
If your friend seems drunk, or is acting out of character, and you know they haven't had too much to drink, they may have been drugged. Stay with them, take them to a safe place and seek medical assistance. Consider reporting the incident to the police and if a sexual assault has occurred contact the Sexual Assault Resource Centre.
The term drug assisted sexual assault describes a situation where a drug impairs a person's ability to consent to, or refuse sex. If a person cannot give free consent to sex, then the perpetrator is committing a sexual assault.
Offences include:
- Administering a drug or poison.
- Stupefying to commit an offence.
- Sexual assault.
For further information visit the Police website at http://www.police.wa.gov.au/