Preventing Drink Spiking

Preventing Drink Spiking

Preventing Drink Spiking

DRINK SPIKING IS A REAL DANGER

We share this information to reduce risks and enhance campus safety, with no intent to blame victims of crime. Only criminals are responsible for their crimes. Drink spiking is the addition of a drug, chemical, or alcohol to beverages in order to impair or incapacitate the person who consumes the beverage. Alcohol, such as Vodka, can be added to a drink that you do not expect to have any or as much alcohol, causing the drink to impair you more than expected. This may be done in order to facilitate sexual assault or other crimes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be spiked, including water. People of any gender, race, or sexual orientation can be the target or the perpetrator of drink spiking. 

Drink spiking is a crime, and will be prosecuted by Police. Rowan University will also discipline students responsible for drink spiking.

How to Spot and Avoid Drink Spiking

Safety Tips
  • Drink only canned or bottled beverages with the seal intact.
  • Do not accept drinks from a common source such as a punch bowl. 
  • Watch your drink when it is made or dispensed from a keg.
  • Avoid mixed liquor drinks when you are not at a trusted establishment such as a licensed restaurant or bar. You cannot be sure something was not added to the bottle, even if you watch the drink being made.
  • Only accept drinks from people you know and trust.
  • Never leave your drink unattended.
  • If a drink tastes or smells unusual, stop drinking it and pour it out.
  • Go with a group you know and trust. Stick together, stay in contact and leave together.

 

Remember your Green Dot training. Bystanders can intervene to stop drink spiking and prevent someone from being harmed. If it seems suspicious, trust your gut and speak up, help the potential victim, contact the authorities, or cause a diversion to help prevent someone from being hurt.
If you are hosting a party and serving drinks
  • Serve only bottled or canned beverages.
  • Put a trusted friend in charge of dispensing all beverages.
  • Do not allow outsiders to bring in drinks from unknown sources.
  • Dump any drinks that have been left unattended or tampered with.
  • Only admit people you know to your party.
  • Ask suspicious persons to leave, or call Police and report them and contact public safety.
  • Check ID and only serve students over legal drinking age (21). 
If you see someone spiking a drink
  • This is a Green Dot opportunity! Do something to intervene.
  • Pour it out. Pretend it was an accident if necessary or cause a distraction.
  • Tell the party host or others what you saw.
  • Alert the person whose drink was tampered with.
  • Call 911 when you can.
  • Text 911 when you cannot call.
  • Contact campus safety.
If you think you may have consumed a spiked beverage
  • You may experience unexpected levels of intoxication.
  • You may also experience confusion, hallucinations, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting or other symptoms.
  • Spiked drinks can be very dangerous.
  • Find a trusted friend and ask them to help you or call public safety.
  • Call 911 and get medical help ASAP!
Good Samaritan Policy
  • New Jersey has a Good Samaritan Law and Rowan University has a Good Samaritan Policy.
  • You and your friends will not be disciplined or prosecuted for alcohol or drug violations if you need help and call an RA, Public Safety, or the Police. 
  • Please reference the official Univeristy policy for more information.