Checks for spiked drinks

[Andrew]

Re-written excerpts from a Sydney tabloid (3/09/2003):

Sydney women can now pack business card-sized spiked-drink detector kits in their handbags.

Coasters, ****tail swizzle sticks and other testers are being developed. Increased drink spiking -and drug rape- in Sydney's pubs and clubs is the catalyst.

The cost may be prohibitive; $A9.95 for six tests from http://www.drinksafetech.com.au/. GHB and Ketamine are able to be identified. Juices and milks are unable to be tested.

There are also other ideas, such a tamperproof plastic caps. One that I thought of (and so did they) is stickers on unattended drinks.
[end]

When I am resting in clubland, I often watch people's drinks (usually when I am trying to find mine! ;))

Those drink spikers are predatory, sick, immature and just plain dangerous! Identify them and deal with them accordingly, I reckon.:mad:

[happybaboon]

Or...

Just don't put your drink down...

:eek:

The best way to judge is still based on what the drink looks/tastes like - If it's discoloured, cloudy or tastes funny and it's been out of your sight since you bought it... Then don't drink it...

Best still, just don't put your drink down!!

Relying on a test (a very limited test, at that) all the time would be dangerous. It doesn't pick up every date rape drug - It doesn't even detect rohpnol... It's stupid...

A good move in the right direction, but it's still a silly move in my opinion.

[Andrew]

Yeah, you are right; it's certainly not a complete solution!
Anyway, people are not that organised especially when they have to pay for the testers! (can't hurt to have them available, though)

I still like the idea of some sort of reusable tamper-proof lid, (at patron's request) ...because...sooner or later... my drink gets put down as the music takes control...

[David]

Good advice from all of you. I always tell the ladies not accept a drink from anyone that they don't know. I also tell them not to leave their drinks lying around.

[clubeclipse]

Have your security and other people walk around and if they see left alone drinks have them put little red flags in the drinks. It serves as a warning and it works.

[happybaboon]

Security people have more important things to be doing than putting flags in drinks.

Sure - it's a safety issue, but its a minor and somewhat cosmetic one compared to fighting, broken glass etc.

If someone is going to try to drug someone, and that person isn't taking adequate precautions against it... then it's going to happen - no matter how many red flags you put in drinks.

Girls in clubs and bars need to be responsible for their own well being by making sure they keep an eye on their drinks, stay with their friends and don't accept drinks from people they don't know.

It is a good idea though - just to remind people - Possibly it's something a glassie/barstaff could do once or twice a night though?

[Andrew]

I believe there have been 8 cases (or so) in Sydney involving gay victims, this year.

[Club Security]

Hello All... Nice to be home after a GREAT time in Vegas.

The last post stated that there may have been at least 8 cases of drink druging this year. I bet there are three times that many because almost all victims feel to ashamed to come forward. They fell bad enough already just that they were taken advantage of... add alcohol use or overuse and they just wont report it.

In Southern California the main victims are straight females and there are several every week. It isn't rare.

Security workers are not that busy that they cannot look for females leaving thier tables with drinks still on them. I have talked to many clubs that say they have the time but need to make it a habit.

I suggest it be made policy to address the issue of drinks being left alone. A simple and easy customer contact to say hello and let them know you are concerned. They will thank you and usually be ok the rest of the night.

Testers work. However, they are just too expensive for everyday club goers.

Good luck,

Nightclub Security Consultants