Drink spiking has always been a fear when going out to nightclubs. The most common scenario is someone slipping some unknown substance or powder into a person’s drink.

In September and October, 198 reports of drink spiking have been confirmed throughout the U.K. The reported incidents included female and male victims, occurring in both licensed locations and private parties. 

Recently, women have reported not only spiking in their drinks but also by injection. This presents a very different set of frightening and major problems. Many female students have reported feeling something sharp on their skin and noticing a bump, waking up the next day unable to recall the previous night. Several women have ended up in the hospital and had to take hepatitis tests.

Experts have mixed opinions about how easy it would be to be able to spike someone through injection. Professor Adam Winstock from the Global Drugs Survey states that needles must be inserted with great care and several milliliters have to be injected for it to take effect. Keeping it in long enough for that to be confirmed is difficult. 

Other professionals think it would be possible, especially thinking of the setting these incidents have happened. If it is out in a nightclub and people have been drinking, it is less likely that one would feel a needle. There are also very thin needles that make nearly no mark or scratch. 

There has been an increase in drink-spiking, but even these figures do not show the full extent of the problem. Many people decide not to report it if they think they have been spiked, or do not report it fast enough for a doctor to be able to perform a blood test. The maximum sentence for spiking is a 10-year prison sentence. Those who do report it, find that no more action is taken. 

In an effort to publicize the rise in cases, a boycotting of nightclubs took place on Oct. 27, 2021. Known as the Girls Night In movement, support garnered in around 50 locations including London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, highlighting the importance of the issue. 

Student Kate Rowlson said, “As students, there’s not much we can do; we can’t change laws. But none of us want to live in fear. We say we do not accept this behavior; we will not tolerate it.”

Drinkaware has made lists of advice on what to do if you suspect a friend has been spiked. Some of these tips include staying with them, calling an ambulance if they get worse, preventing them from drinking any more alcohol, and encouraging them to get urine and blood tests in the first 72 hours. The effects vary a lot but some symptoms to look for are feeling sleepy, visual problems, confusion, nausea, and unconsciousness.

Spiking seems to be ingrained in university and going out culture, and often a lot of victim-blaming occurs. It is essential that this narrative changes and the perpetrators be blamed instead. Training for staff, including bouncers and bartenders, is important to notice if someone has been spiked and be able to help them if this is noticed. 

Petitions on funding free drink spiking test kits and being thoroughly searched upon entry have received thousands of signatures. Everyone is encouraged to tell staff or management of a venue if any spiking is suspected. It is important to not let these perpetrators of sexual violence get away unscathed.