By dpa

Copyright scmp

Drink spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into someone else’s drink without their knowledge or consent.
This may have happened to you if suddenly everything goes black and you barely remember what happened.
If you fear something has been added to your drink – or anyone else’s – secretly and illegally in a pub, club or at someone’s house, act fast and find a doctor, says a police officer, who spells out the dangers and how to stay safe.
The nightmare of memory loss, loss of control and shame can be caused by what are variously known as “date rape” drugs, knockout drops and “roofies”, the latter referring to the drug Rohypnol – also known as flunitrazepam – or its liquid cousin GHB, for gamma-hydroxybutryate.
According to the Hong Kong Police Force, the drugs diffuse quickly and are tasteless, odourless and colourless. They cause victims to become disoriented and lower their inhibitions, and cause memory blackouts and unconsciousness.

While under the influence of these drugs, victims may be induced to use or hand over their credit or ATM cards and PINs.
Victims often only realise they have been targeted and robbed when checking their bank accounts the next day, or when they try to withdraw cash but find their daily limit has been exceeded, the force says.
The effects of all these types of drugs are insidious, barely detectable and fast acting.
There are ways you can try to establish whether you have fallen victim to drink spiking, what the typical symptoms are and what to do in the case of an emergency, says Tina Elsner, head of Germany’s central and state Police Crime Prevention Unit.
The better informed you are about the potential dangers, the better you can protect yourself and others.
The effect always depends on the substance added. The drugs are known as “knockout drops” as victims typically experience nausea, dizziness and sudden drowsiness just 10 to 20 minutes after unknowingly ingesting them.

The drugs slow the victim’s brain activity and central nervous system, causing them to become helpless and unable to act. They may even lose consciousness. It depends on the dose and the victim’s size, weight and physical condition.
It is particularly dangerous if the knockout drugs are mixed with alcohol or other drugs. Often, that leaves victims unable to remember or only vaguely recall what happened afterwards.
This mixing of substances also increases the risk of serious health consequences. In cases of an overdose, it can even lead to suffocation due to respiratory paralysis.
If you suspect that you have been given some form of knockout drug – if, for example, you are experiencing motor or psychological abnormalities that you cannot explain – do not stay by yourself.
Seek help quickly. Ideally you or your friends should swiftly contact any paramedics present, go to a doctor or to the nearest hospital accident and emergency. These kinds of substances can only be detected in urine or blood for a few hours after they have been consumed.

Only after this should you contact the police and file a report. This is a necessary step to protect others from suffering the same situation.
Additionally, the case may involve criminal offences such as grievous bodily harm, unlawful detention, rape or attempted rape, and violations of drug or pharmaceutical laws. If possible, gather evidence in advance, for example, by keeping the drink in question.
Avoid being alone. Try to stay near friends or people you trust. Do not panic. Stay calm and try to think clearly so you are better able to assess the situation. Do not keep drinking the suspicious drink.
Do not go straight home. It is safer to stay in a public place and find a friend or member of the security staff to help.
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