Residents Urged To Be Aware Of The Dangers Of Drink Spiking

A local woman shared her experience to warn others to be aware of the risks of drink spiking.  

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A resident is warning visitors to bars and nightclubs to beware the dangers of drink spiking following a recent experience on a night out in Airlie Beach.

The young woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was drinking rounds with friends, and friends-of-friends at a popular Airlie venue, when her memory went blank.  

Next thing she remembers, she was on the floor, on her own, in the bathroom, unable to control her limbs.  

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“It wasn’t like being drunk,” she said.  

“My mind was present and I was telling my body to move but I couldn’t lift my arms.

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“I wanted to pick up my phone to call a friend but it was like I couldn’t control my body.”  

The woman was bruised and sore from her attempts to get up and out of the cubicle, but thankfully was otherwise unharmed.  

A friend located her, and took her home to safety.  

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At a later unrelated hospital visit, the young woman explained her experience to a doctor, who said her symptoms and story signalled her drink had been spiked.  

“He said he sees it a lot here in Airlie,” she said.  

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According to statistics from the University of Newcastle, around half of drink spiking victims in Australia are aged under 24, and about one third of drink spiking incidents are associated with a sexual assault.

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The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) shared that “drugs that may be used in drink spiking include depressants, such as GHB and Rohypnol. These drugs can change a person’s behaviour, causing anything from a loss of inhibition to a loss of consciousness. Drinks are spiked for a number of reasons, such as amusement, or to facilitate sexual assault or theft.”

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Queensland Police Service outlined the common signs of a spiking as the following:

• Feelings of dizziness, nausea, or unusually affected by alcohol

• Sudden drowsiness, confusion or loss of coordination

• Waking up with little to no memory of events

• Your drink tasting, appearing, or smelling different than usual

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They recommend the following “simple, proactive steps” that can be taken to help keep yourself and your friends safe.

• Take your own drinks to parties.

• Never leave your drinks unattended.

• Only accept drinks from trusted people.

• Watch your drink being poured.

• Don’t accept an open container of drink from anyone.

• If you feel very drunk in a shorter amount of time compared to the amount of drinks that you have consumed, immediately tell a friend or someone in authority.

• Consider keeping your drink covered at all times. For example, place a hand or coaster over a glass or your thumb over a bottle to reduce the risk of drink spiking. 
  

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The ADF recommend trusting your gut if you feel you may have been spiked, and if you feel unwell, seeking medical attention immediately.

“You know your body better than anyone. Trust your instincts,” they shared.

 

“Early reporting can make a difference in preventing further offences and ensuring your safety,”  

Certain drugs can only be detected up to 24 hours after the event- so getting tested quickly, and reporting the incident to the police can help them track down the perpetrators, prevent further offences and make our community safer.

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