SEPTEMBER 16-20 marked Anti-Spiking Intensification Week, which is a week of action to educate the public around drink spiking.

As of May 2024, North Wales Police confirmed that 388 instances of drink spiking had been reported over the past three-years.

There is no time limit on reporting spiking, whether it has just happened or it was a while back, police encourage all instances to be reported. Spiking offences may include drink spiking, needle spiking, food spiking, vape or e-cigarette spiking, or an attempted spiking. 

A 18-year-old female, who wishes to remain anonymous, reflects on her experience of being was spiked in 2022. 

"I was on my first drink, and I stupidly left it at the bar. I can only assume that's when I was spiked. There's not a whole lot I remember after that.

"My friends said I was in a state, she said, adding that she woke up at the back of a church at 3am on her own.

"I don't even remember getting home, and I haven't been to a club since it happened."

Another 22-year-old female, who believes she was spiked in 2023 said: "My friend and I finished our drinks before going outside. I started to feel really sick and dizzy before being sick and passing out. Eventually I was foaming at the mouth.

"People claimed I was just too drunk. When I got home my parents were concerned and called 999. I was taken to hospital and was very unwell in the days that followed."

She admits the experience has changed the way she and her friends now go out, with the incident always being in the back of her mind.

"I'm just shocked something like this could happen in Wrexham", she adds. "My mum has been massively affected and worries so much now when I go out."

A police spokesperson said that. although spiking reports are rare, " anyone who is going for a night out should always look after their drinks in order to look after themselves and their friends".

"Criminals do this in order to commit a crime against you such as theft, robbery or sexual assault. It can happen to men or women so we all need to be cautious when we’re out."

While in an area serving alcohol drinks, it is important you:

  • Don’t leave any drinks unattended as this may increase the possibility of your drink being spiked

  • Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know well

If you do need to leave your drink unattended to visit the toilet facilities or to go for a dance see if the bar staff have a drink cover you can use. Lots of venues now stock these so just ask or even take your own with you if you can.

If you’re out with friends and one of them starts to behave either excessively drunk or appears unwell report it to the bar staff, stay with them, keep them talking and keep a close eye on them. 

If there seems to be serious medical problems call 999.