Help is available if you or someone you know has experienced spiking on or off campus.
Spiking is when someone puts drugs and/or alcohol into someone’s drink or body without their consent.
People can spike others by, for example:
- putting alcohol or more alcohol into a drink without a person’s consent
- a range of different prescription drugs (such as sleeping tablets)
- illegal drugs (such as cocaine, GHB or ketamine).
Drink spiking is the most common form of spiking, but other items including food and cigarettes can also be spiked. Needle spiking has also become a serious concern. Anyone can be a victim of spiking and it is not always connected to sexual assault.
Symptoms can vary depending on the size and height of the person, type and amount of drug or alcohol used or how much alcohol was consumed prior to the incident. Some things to look out for are:
- confusion
- nausea or vomiting
- hallucinations
- disorientation
- inability to communicate clearly
- paranoia
- poor coordination
- poor visibility
- unconsciousness.
Such incidents are serious crimes of poisoning, can be life-threatening, and have lasting impacts on those who experience it and on their friends who witness it.
Spiking is illegal and can result in up to ten years in prison. If followed by another crime such as assault, sexual offence, theft or robbery, then this could be even longer.