From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Department of Justice
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An information campaign to raise awareness of the signs of drink ‘spiking’ and to give guidance on how to help potential victims and encourage reporting of any suspected incidents has been launched by Government today together with the Union of Students of Ireland.
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, have jointly announced the initiative.
Minister McEntee said:
“Spiking a person’s drink is a very serious act. It is classified as poisoning, which is a criminal offence. This offence alone can lead to a three-year prison term.
“Whatever your motivation, spiking someone is a crime with serious potential consequences for victim and perpetrator.
“Anyone who may have been a victim of a spiking or a witness – to a drink being spiked or to an assault or sexual assault – is urged to report it to the Gardaí.”
The Ministers and the USI want to provide easily accessible information on the signs and illegality of this crime, and helpful steps on what to do if you or someone you know is targeted.
Minister Harris said:
“When I met student leaders recently, they raised concerns with me about reports of incidents of spiking, and we take these concerns very seriously.
“That is why we are working together to launch a campaign on the dangers and illegality of spiking. We want everyone – from those using nightlife, to those working in it, to be aware of the signs and to take action when they are causes for concern.
“It is important everyone is equipped with the tools to act if you are targeted by this crime or a witness of it.”
USI Vice President Somhairle Brennan said:
“Today’s launch sees the roll out of information for students on the various aspects of spiking and to support people to help friends that are the victims of spiking. We know from research that students want the knowledge to help their friends who disclose that they have been the victim of an act such as spiking.
“We also want to ensure those that have suffered know that this is a serious criminal act, no matter the intent of the person spiking, and that you deserve support, to be heard and for it to be investigated, if that is what you want.”
The campaign will include information on how to tell if your drink has been spiked, acknowledging that most drugs used in this manner are tasteless, colourless and odourless, but that there may signs in a person’s behaviour or body language, including:
It will also include guidance on steps to take to help a friend you think or know has been spiked including to: