We all know the term by now. Perhaps some of you know someone who was the victim of it. Perhaps you have been a victim yourself.
“Spiking” is the term for someone giving you alcohol or drugs without your consent. Unfortunately, over the Christmas period there was a rise in spikings and the Justice Minister, Jim O’ Callaghan stated, “It is a crime that preys on vulnerability, undermines consent, and is effectively poisoning.”
He also stated, “Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection constitute in effect poisoning and as such are criminal offences.
“I am informed by an Garda Siochana that of the 60 reported incidents in 2024, 28 were drink spiking, a needle was used in 10 and the method was unknown in 22.”
He and his government are actively working to bring in new laws for drink spiking which will include a jail sentence.
It’s important to be aware that there are two types of spiking; needle and traditional use of drugs being mixed into drinks without the victim knowing. When a needle is used, it is filled with a drug and the victim is unaware until they feel the painful jab.
The symptoms one can experience range from nausea, vomiting, light-headed, difficulty in performing normal body functions (walking, talking), memory loss, hallucinations and unconsciousness and feeling disoriented. These symptoms can show within minutes, in some cases these symptoms not only last for hours, but days.
There are protective measures you can take to reduce the risk of spiking to keep you and your friends safe. You can keep yourself and others safe by keeping your drink with you at all times and never leaving it unattended.
It is recommended to buy and pour your own drinks as it is solely you who knows what your drink is and where it has come from. It’s responsible to have a plan for getting home whether it be in a taxi or your designated sober friend or if you’re choosing to walk, make sure it’s with your group of friends.
By taking these safety measures, you are being responsible and self-aware of how to keep yourself safe on nights outs, social events or house parties. If you happen to witness a spiking, please do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of the person targeted or any staff or security that might be nearby.
Stopping spiking in its tracks before anything happens is an effective way to bring attention to it, the more people that know, the more people will be vigilant. Spike test kits are available to purchase online, quick little swabs that you can put in your drink if you’re unsure before tasting it.
There’s also a new anti-drug scrunchie, which is a stretchable scrunchie that extends over your drink to protect it from any illegal spiking, the nylon material will protect your drink and will still be safe if you want to boogie with it on the dancefloor, it stops spills!
It’s important to act quickly if someone you know has been spiked or if you have been the victim of an illegal spiking. Get help from someone you trust. If you are in a venue, bring it to the attention of a staff member or security guard.
In extreme cases, you can go to the emergency department with someone you trust, the staff are well-equipped to handle a spiking situation as well as looking after your mental health and well-being. It is highly encouraged to report any spiking incidents to An Garda Siochana, spiking is a crime and must be reported.
We need to be able to protect our friends and family from such things. Awareness is key. When we have awareness, the knowledge of what to do and how to stay safe, then nothing can ruin your nights out.
Rachel Garvey is a Co-Editor for Features for Student Independent News for the year 2023/24. She works full-time, but dedicates her free time to writing and being involved in SIN. Rachel has been a contributor to SIN since 2017.