-Caveat Lector- http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/16/1037080962509.html
Print this article | Close this window Drink spiking epidemic to put the lid on our drinks EXCLUSIVE | By Eamonn Duff November 17 2002 Drinks spiked with drugs are now becoming such a major concern among Sydney's clubs and hotels that urgent consideration is being given to putting lids on glasses. A Sun-Herald investigation has revealed police, health officials and club owners are disturbed by the alarming number of date-rape reports stemming from drugs deliberately put into drinks. Warning notices in bars are becoming commonplace. And security staff have been briefed to watch out for women who might have been drugged. A manager at one high-profile venue in the city, who has witnessed several incidents in his own club over the past few months, said: "The problem is now at the stage where it threatens to destroy the very essence of a traditional weekend night out. "If it continues to escalate, we may have to follow the lead of countries such as France where drinks come complete with a lid." A NSW Health Department spokeswoman confirmed the anti-spiking lids could soon be part of bar culture. "Between November 25 and 26, there is an inter-governmental committee meeting in Perth on drugs," she said. "One of the initiatives to be taking place at that conference will be the development of a national anti-drink spiking project. "The NSW Health Department views the spiking epidemic extremely seriously." Karen Willis, manager of Rape Crisis NSW - the State's only 24-hour counselling phone service - confirmed drink spiking incidents had reached alarming numbers. "Every weekend, illicit drugs and double alcohol shots are being slipped into beverages of unsuspecting victims," she said. "These victims, most often women, get no prior warning until it is too late. The hunter simply waits in the wings and observes as his victim gradually grows defenceless. "It's a sinister concept of women being unknowingly targeted, hunted down, then taken. They wake up the following morning in an alien environment and have no idea how they got there. Ask any woman and she'll tell you - there is not a more terrifying scenario." Some bar managers said they are dealing with up to three separate incidents per weekend, while others revealed that even their own staff have been victims. "Five of my employees have been targeted in the space of two months," said one club owner. "It wasn't just female bar staff who were drugged, it was male security guards also. They were spiked with both uppers and downers. "In some cases, they didn't remember how their night ended or how they got home and we're talking here about people who didn't touch a drop of alcohol all night." Sydney Protection Services manager Randal Barge, who sends more than 100 security staff to CBD bars, hotels and clubs every weekend, says women are not safe unless "they are in a group - and remain in a group". "Our guards are trained to pinpoint men and groups of men who are not there for the venue or to enjoy a genuine night out," Mr Barge said. "On these occasions, the guards approach the men immediately and warn them that they're being watched. "It's designed to make them feel uneasy - and in many cases it works. But the problem is, our guards can't watch everyone at once. Neither can they watch every drink. "I cannot stress how important it is for women to properly assess the man who their girlfriend may just be about to head off with. Speak to him, put him under the microscope." Australian Hotels Association chairman of training Rob French said a number of initiatives have been introduced to counter the spiking epidemic. "Many spiking victims appear the same as they would do if heavily intoxicated, so we are watching closely the women who may have instead been targeted with another agent," Mr French said. "We are also encouraging members to get prominent visible signage up in their establishments to warn patrons about these dangers. The best weapon to counter this growing trend is going to be awareness." While the scale of the drink-spiking problem has been established, it remains unclear what drug is being used most often in attacks. Latest police research indicates ethanol is being used with increasing regularity. Sydney university pharmacist Graham Starmer said he had also seen temazepam crop up on different occasions. Stimulants such as methamphetamine were also being used. This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/16/1037080962509.html <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. 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