Spiking Spiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing. For example, in their drink or with a needle. Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and be carried out by strangers or by people you know. It is illegal and carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Types of spiking Ÿ Drink spiking - adding drugs or alcohol to someone else's drink. Ÿ Food spiking - adding drugs to someone's food. Ÿ Vape or cigarette spiking - giving someone drugs in a cigarette or e-cigarette. Ÿ Needle spiking - injecting drugs into someone else with a needle or auto-injector pen. Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they were expecting and consented to is also spiking. For example, giving someone double shots instead of single ones. How to tell if you have been spiked It can be difficult to know if someone has spiked you. The symptoms vary depending on what someone has spiked you with. They can be similar to having excess alcohol. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help straight away. If you feel seriously unwell, call 999 or ask someone to get you emergency medical assistance. Reporting spiking to the Police You can report an incidence of spiking to Merseyside Police, regardless of how long ago that it happened. Report online, over the phone on 101 or in person at a Police station. You can also report attempted spiking, where a spiking attempt was disrupted before anyone became a victim. For example: Ÿ If a drink has an unexpected smell, taste or colour. Ÿ If you notice a tablet or powder in a drink. Ÿ If you see someone trying to spike a drink. Ÿ If someone tried to inject you with drugs, but failed. 28 Report spiking online
29 Publizr Home