Drinkers are warned to beware of spiking

ISLANDERS are worried that drinks in pubs and clubs are being spiked with a potentially fatal date-rape drug. Police have confirmed that they are investigating four allegations of spiking reported to them between 22 November and 16 January.

The news follows claims to the Guernsey Press that a local woman, who did not wish to be named, was taken to hospital recently after having a date-rape drug added to her drink in a Town nightclub.

A friend suggested that the woman was told at the hospital that her case bore all the symptoms of GHB, also known as liquid Ecstasy, and she was not the first to need medical treatment with similar symptoms recently.

She believed that islanders should be warned of the potential dangers.

Wanting to forget about the experience, she did not make a formal complaint to police.

GHB, which can be dissolved in a beverage, is undetectable by taste, smell or appearance.

It can leave victims unconscious and with such severe memory loss that they do not know what has happened to them. Mixed with alcohol, it can be fatal.

'In response to any concerns about this issue, the police advocate a policy of education and prevention and would advise members of the public not to accept drinks from people they do not know or trust and not to leave their drinks unattended or return to a drink which they have left unsupervised,' said Inspector Toni Bligh.

The Guernsey Licensed Victuallers' Association is warning licensees to let pub-goers know of the potential risks of spiked drinks.

It has sent advice to members mirroring a UK leaflet campaign warning to 'party safely' in pubs and clubs. The advice contains the following warnings:

* Never leave a drink unattended - if you go to the toilet, take it with you.

* If you have left a drink unattended, do not drink it - get a fresh one.

* Always see your drinks poured in front of you.

* If there is a big group of you, nominate somebody who is not drinking to keep an eye on the party.

* The drugs used to spike drinks are tasteless.

* Non-alcoholic drinks are also at risk.

* If you feel unwell, always approach a member of staff.

Ship & Crown licensee Mark Pontin said: 'We don't think it is date-rape drugs people are using, but other drugs people are putting in drinks for their own entertainment and as a stupid prank to see people's reaction.

'We are not scare-mongering - we just want to warn people of the dangers and want them to go out and party safely. We don't think it's a major problem and are just informing people, because in England it's a bit of a problem,' he said.

The Board of Health reclassified GHB and other potential date-rape drugs in July 2003 and it is subject to certain restrictions and penalties.

Accident and Emergency staff see a small number every year who claim that their drinks have been spiked. But it stressed that there was no evidence that there had been any recent rise in such cases.

The A & E department has facilities for measuring blood-alcohol and it said that alcohol was sufficient to cause symptoms of extreme intoxication, without spiking.