Going out with friends for a night of drinks and dancing can be a fun and exciting way to unwind. However, can be a serious risk that comes with the partying lifestyle: drink spiking.
This means adding a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. It’s a dangerous tactic that can lead to serious harm, including assault, robbery, and even death.
It’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your friends so that you can enjoy a night out without worrying about the potential dangers. In this blog, we’ll explore the risks associated with drink spiking, how to recognize the signs of a spiked drink, and what you can do to stay safe while still enjoying your evening.
DRINK SPIKING: STEPS TO STAYING SAFE
PLAN AHEAD: Before going to a bar or club, it’s important to have a plan in place. This includes arranging transportation to and from the venue, having a trusted friend or family member know where you are, and having a way to contact them in case of an emergency.
WATCH YOUR DRINK: Be vigilant about your drink and don’t leave it unattended. If you do, don’t drink it again. If you have to turn away (for a conversation, for example) cover the top of your drink with your hand to prevent someone from slipping something into it. This includes watching your friends’ drinks.
ONLY ACCEPT DRINKS FROM TRUSTED SOURCES: Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers or people you don’t know well. If someone offers to buy you a drink, either watch the bartender make it or accompany the person to the bar to watch them order it.
TRUST YOUR GUT: If something feels off or uncomfortable, it’s important to trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation. Don’t feel obligated to stay in a situation that doesn’t feel right or drink something if your brain is saying, “mmmm, better not.”
TRUST AND WATCH YOUR FRIENDS: If your friends express concern or discomfort about a situation (or show signs of excessive drinking and should be taken home safely), listen to them and take their concerns seriously. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS
STAY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS: Be aware of the people around you. Stay in well-lit areas, don’t leave alone with someone you don’t know or trust, and avoid isolated areas.
BE CAUTIOUS OF STRANGERS: While it’s okay to talk to new people and make new friends, it’s important to be cautious and aware of people’s intentions. Don’t disclose personal information or go to an unfamiliar location with someone you just met.
STICK WITH FRIENDS: It’s always a good idea to stick with your friends, especially when in an unfamiliar place. Look out for each other, and make sure everyone gets home safely.
LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE: Alcohol can impair your judgment and make you more vulnerable to danger. Try to limit your alcohol intake so you can remember to keep an eye on your drink and your friend’s cocktails.
HAVE A SAFETY APP ON YOUR PHONE: There are several safety apps that you can download on your phone, which can help you stay safe while in a bar or club. Some apps allow you to send an emergency message to pre-selected contacts, while others can send a distress signal to the police.
KEEP YOUR PHONE CHARGED: Make sure your phone is fully charged before going out, so you can stay connected and call for help if needed. Even better, have an extra battery charger in your bag.
BE CAREFUL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA CHECK-INS: Avoid posting social media check-ins or location updates, as it can reveal your location to strangers or even people you know – statistics show that assaults can also happen with those we are familiar with.
LEARN SOME SELF-DEFENCE MOVES: Learning some basic defense moves can give you confidence and help you protect yourself if someone tries to harm you. There are also online sites that sell “defense kits” for women that include everything from mace to key chain spikes.
AVOID DRINKS WITH UNFAMILIAR TASTES OR SMELLS: If a drink tastes or smells unusual, don’t drink it. This could be a sign that it has been spiked with drugs or other harmful substances.
DON’T SHARE DRINKS: Sharing drinks with friends or strangers can increase your risk of becoming a victim of drink spiking. Always order your own drinks and keep them in your possession at all times.
BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS: Consider bringing your own drinks to the bar or club (if it’s allowed), such as a sealed bottle of water or a non-alcoholic beverage. This can help you avoid accepting drinks from strangers or being in a situation where your glass might be spiked.
DRINK SPIKING TESTING
There are several products on the market that can help detect if something is in your drink – or just protect it. But, it’s important to note that while these products can be helpful, they are not foolproof and may not detect all types of drugs that can be used for spiking.
DRINK COVERS: Drink covers are small caps or discs that can be placed over the opening of a drink to prevent someone from spiking it. Some drink covers even change color when they come into contact with a drink spiked with drugs. They’ve effective because it makes it more obvious that someone is messing with your beverage.
TEST STRIPS: These are small strips that you can dip into your drink. They will change color if they detect the presence of drugs such as GHB or ketamine.
DETECTION COASTERS: These are coasters that contain testing strips. You can place your drink on the coaster and use it to detect the presence of drugs in your drink.
PERSONAL TESTING DEVICES: These are small devices that you can carry with you and use to test your drink. They typically use some kind of a “reagent” to detect the presence of drugs, similar to what’s on test strips.
BARTENDER’S CODES
Did you know that there are many “signals” that bartenders recognize when a customer needs help?
But how does this relate to drink spiking? Well, it all goes back to trusting your gut. If there is a stranger that is constantly trying to offer you drinks or following you (even lingering too close for comfort), you can go to the bartender and either use one of the codes. OR they might use one on you if they see something you don’t.
It’s also a way to get yourself out of a harassing (or worse) situation in a discreet way – because if handled directly, with security telling someone to leave another person alone or kick them out of the bar, a booze-fueled environment could easily escalate into harm or even a fight that could hurt bystanders. All these codes are ways to get people to safety in quiet ways.
Here are some common ones – but please keep in mind they’re not universal and not everyone will recognize them.
“ANGEL SHOT” – This is a code word used to alert the bartender that a woman needs help without raising suspicion from the man she’s with. When a woman orders an angel shot, it signals to the bartender that she needs assistance, such as a ride home or someone to call the police.
“CAN I HELP YOU WITH SOMETHING?” – This is a code phrase bartenders might use to ask a woman if she needs assistance without being obvious. The bartender might use a certain tone or phrasing that indicates concern, which can help the woman feel more comfortable about asking for help.
“DO YOU NEED ME TO CALL YOU A CAB?” – They might use this one to offer assistance to a woman who is feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. By offering to call a cab or a friend, the bartender can help the woman leave the venue quickly and safely.
“ARE YOU MEETING ANYONE TONIGHT?” – This one is used to determine if a woman is alone or if she’s with someone who might be causing her discomfort. Depending on the woman’s response, the bartender can decide if further action is needed to keep her safe.
“HAVE YOU TRIED OUR NEW MOCKTAIL?” – Bartenders off a woman a non-alcoholic drink if they suspect that she’s been drugged or if she’s showing signs of intoxication. This can help the woman stay alert and avoid further harm.
“IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE?” – This is a code phrase that bartenders might use to offer assistance to a woman who seems uncomfortable or unsafe. The bartender might offer to escort her to her car, call a cab or friend, or help her find a safe place to wait.
“THE BATHROOM CODE IS 555” – Some bars or clubs have a bathroom code that can be used to signal to staff that assistance is needed. For example, if a woman says the code “555” when asking for the bathroom key, it can alert the bartender that she needs help without raising suspicion from the man she’s with.
DRINK SPIKING – WHAT TO DO IF IT OCCURS
KNOW THE SIGNS: Knowledge is paramount. The signs of drink spiking can vary, but some common symptoms include feeling dizzy, disoriented, or confused, having difficulty speaking or moving, or feeling extremely sleepy. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek help immediately. Your friends should also be able to recognize the signs as well.
GET MEDICAL HELP: If it does happen, seek medical help immediately. Go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance if necessary. The bar staff can help with this as well – and since you’ll be out with friends, they can take point on making sure you get to a hospital.
PRESERVE EVIDENCE: If you can, preserve any evidence that might help identify the person who spiked your drink. This could include the drink itself, the glass it was in, or any other items that might have come into contact with the drink, like napkins.
REPORT THE INCIDENT: Report the incident to the police or to the bar or club management. This can help prevent the person who spiked your drink from doing it again to you or to someone else.
DRINK SPIKING – FINAL THOUGHTS
Drink spiking is a serious issue that poses a real danger to people enjoying a night out with friends. It’s important to recognize the signs and to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place. By staying alert, you can help reduce the risk of someone becoming a victim regardless of gender, age, or location.
However, it’s important not to let the fear of drink spiking take away from the enjoyment of a night out. With a few precautions, you can still have fun and let loose while prioritizing you and your friends’ safety. Remember to trust your instincts so we can keep the good times rolling.
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