In public spaces like night clubs, do not to leave your drink unattended as it might get spiked with drugs or unwanted alcohol. — dpa
Drink-spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into someone else’s drink without their knowledge or consent.
This may have happened to you if suddenly, everything goes black and you barely remember what happened.
The nightmare of memory loss, loss of control and shame can be caused by what are variously known as date rape drugs, knockout drops and roofies.
Whatever they are called, their effects are insidious, barely detectable and act quickly.
But there are ways you can try and establish whether you have fallen victim to drink-spiking, what the typical symptoms are and what to do in the case of an emergency, says Germany’s central and state Police Crime Prevention Unit head Tina Elsner.
She shares what to do if you suspect a drink has been spiked in the below Q&A.
After all, the better informed you are about the potential dangers, the better you can protect yourself and others.
The effect always depends on the substance added.
The drugs are known as “knockout drops” as victims typically experience nausea, dizziness and sudden drowsiness just 10 to 20 minutes after unknowingly ingesting them.
The drug slows down the victim’s brain activity and central nervous system, causing them to become helpless and unable to act.
They may even lose conciousness.
But what exactly happens also depends on the dose and the victim’s size, weight and physical condition.
It is particularly dangerous if the knockout drugs mix with alcohol or other drugs.
Often, that leaves victims unable to remember or only vaguely recall what happened afterwards.
This mixing of substances also increases the risk of people sustaining serious health consequences.
In cases of an overdose, it can even lead to suffocation due to respiratory paralysis.
If you suspect that you have been given some form of knockout drug – say, for example, because you are experiencing motor or psychological abnormalities that you cannot explain – do not remain alone.
Seek help fast, and ideally, you or your friends should swiftly contact any paramedics present, go to a doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room.
The presence of these kinds of substances can only be detected in urine or blood a few hours after they have been consumed.
Only after this should you contact the police and file a report.
This is a necessary step in order to protect others from suffering the same situation.
Additionally, the case may involve criminal offences such as grievous bodily harm, unlawful detention, rape or attempted rape, and violations of drug or pharmaceutical laws.
If possible, secure evidence in advance, e.g. by keeping the drink in question.
Avoid being alone. Try to stay near friends or people you trust.
Do not panic. Stay calm and try to think clearly so that you are better able to assess the situation.
Do not keep drinking the suspicious beverage.
And also, do not go straight home.
It is safer to stay in a public place and find a member of the security staff to help. – By Christoph Jänsch/dpa
