Inspired by Cinders soapbox on this spot. This is to show you why though.

I hail from Ireland- the unofficial drinking capital of the world. Therefore, most of my socialising centres around the pub, and the club.

Its not that I am a massive drinker, you know, the kind that tries to suck up alcohol from the carpet following a spill, but I do drink. And I do go out.Which is why I know first hand the dangers of leaving a drink unattended.

It doesn't matter what you are drinking, be it whiskey or water,NEVER EVER LEAVE IT UNATTENDED.

Its really common to spike a drink with a Mickey Finn in Ireland, especially in clubs, where its easy to lose track of a drink. I don't know about other countries.

Why is it dangerous? You don't remember anything after you take it.

I'll give you an example.
A friend I went to school with left his drink unattended for a minute. When he came back, he finished his drink. Within two hours, his friends had to bring him home.

Thirty minutes after finishing his drink, he began to act strangely. He became so abusive the bouncers threw him out of the club, where he started to abuse and threaten some acquaintances who were waiting to go in. He became physically aggressive, and it took four friends to get him into a cab.

When they brought him home, he started crying and screaming at the 'monsters' that he could see.

He woke up the next morning, and could not remember what had happened to him.

So, some tips:

1) If you leave a drink alone, DON'T drink it. You don't know what could be in it.

2) Don't assume friends will watch your drink. Make sure someone is watching it.

3) ANY drink can be spiked. Don't assume your safe because you're drinking water.

4) If you think someones drink has been spiked, tell them!

5) If you leave for a smoke, finish your drink first. Or order a fresh one when you come back in.

6) Friends may think it funny to spike your drink. Be cautious.


The commonest drugs used:

*Alcohol is the most commonly used drug to facilitate sexual assaults. As many as 75% of men and 55% of women had been drinking alcohol prior to an acquaintance rape. Common effects of alcohol include:

-Impaired memory
-Impaired concentration/coordination
-Decreased inhibitions
-Rohypnol

*Rohypnol (Roofies, Roach, R-2's, Rope) is a drug that can be used to sedate victims in order to sexually assault them. It is one of the strongest benzodiazepines. It has never been legal to manufacture or possess Rohypnol in the United States however, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, Hoffman-La Roche, legally manufactures it in Mexico and several other countries. Rohypnol is commonly prescribed in other countries as a short-term treatment for sleep disorders. Hoffman-La Roche recently reformulated this medication to turn clear fluids green when dissolving and to slow dissolution rates. Effects are felt within 30 minutes after ingestion. The effects can peak after 2 hours, but can last over 8 hours and include:

-Drowsiness
-Dizziness
-Memory Loss
-Muscle relaxation
-Disorientation
-Psychomotor Slowing
-Lowered Blood Pressure

Rohypnol usually remains in the blood for only 2 to 4 hours after ingestion, but it can sometimes be detected in urine for up to 72 hours. When a police report is made, testing for the presence of date rape drugs can be completed at a hospital ER.

GHB

GHB (Liquid X, Liquid E, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy) is a drug that is also used in sexual assaults. It is often sold as a clear or syrupy liquid, although it is sometimes produced as a white powder. Drinks that are laced with GHB can sometimes be detected because they may have an unpleasant, plastic, salty taste. GHB begins to take effect within 5 to 15 minutes from ingestion and symptoms last from 3 to 6 hours. Common effects include:

-Visual disturbance
-Memory loss
-Hallucinations
-Dizziness
-Drowsiness
-Slowed heart rate

GHB usually remains in the blood for at most 4 hours and in the urine for at most, 12 hours. When a police report is made, testing for the presence of date rape drugs can be completed at a hospital ER.

So stay safe. Be careful, and enjoy nights out for years to come.