Originally published here
by Raymond Chan
NO FIGURES: Police say drinkers should still be alert even though drink spiking in WA is rare.
The extent of drink spiking in WA remains largely unknown with no official figures being kept by either police or health authorities.
Inquiries by eMUnews this week to the Drug and Alcohol Office revealed that no official records of incidents of spiking, when a drug is placed in a person’s drink without them knowing, had been released or kept since 2005.
DAO drugs program manager Melanie Chatfield said it was four years since figures had been available on drink spiking in WA.
WA Police spokesman Sergeant Greg Lambert said spiking was very rare and although police did not keep statistics on it, all reported cases would be investigated.
He said education was the simple answer to preventing drink spiking.
“It’s all about protecting yourself,” he said.
“You lose rational perception and are then vulnerable to sexual assaults after drink spiking.”
A Royal Perth Hospital media spokeswoman told eMUnews no data on drink spiking was kept by the hospital.
“It is not much of an issue and patients usually report that they are unwell, so there are no figures or data being kept,” she said.
Ms Chatfield said although reports of spiking were rare it was still important for people to be aware of the potential.
“To avoid drink spiking always buy your own drink and watch it being poured,” she said.
“Don’t accept drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended while you dance or go to the toilet.
“Don’t drink or taste anyone else’s drink, and stop drinking anything that you think tastes odd.”
Metro City Concert Club media spokesman also told eMUnews that drink spiking was not an issue at the club.
“There hasn’t been any incident of drink spiking that I know of since I joined 2.5 years ago,” he said.
“Bartenders go through the Responsible Service of Alcohol course and they are taught to pour drinks down the drain if the drinks are left unattended.”
He said the high price of drinks was also probably contributing to the low incidence of spiking because patrons tended to hold onto their drinks more.
“It is the patrons’ responsibility to look after their drinks,” he said.
“We’ve done all we can.”
For more information on drink spiking, visit www.drugaware.com.au.
