On a night out the last thing you want to worry about is having your drink being spiked. We are hearing cases of drink spiking more frequently so we need to now more than even be very cautious when we are out. This is why I believe Nightcap is an essential item that you should consider getting before your next night out.
Nightcap is a drink spiking prevention that comes in the form of a scrunchie. The scrunchie hides the cap that is placed over your glass to prevent someone from dropping anything into it.
The Nightcap was invented by Shirah Benarde at just 16 years old after friends of hers at college had been victims to drink spiking. According to the Nightcap website, the first prototype was made from her mums’ pantyhose that she had cut up and attached to a scrunchie.
However, the Nightcap website does disclaim that it “can deter drink spiking in many instances, but cannot guarantee your safety”. While the cap can prevent your drink from being spiked it isn’t 100% guaranteed.
Here’s how to keep yourself safe when you are out:
- Only accept drinks from people you TRUST
- Never leave your drink unattended
- If you do leave your drink unattended DO NOT drink from it again
- Use preventatives such as the Nightcap to cover your glass or drink stoppers for bottles
- Get testing kits for your drinks that can detect certain drugs (these won’t always be 100% accurate and won’t pick up on all drugs. These also won’t pick up alcohol if you have been a victim of alcohol spiking)
Drink spiking is a serious crime. It is important to know you can face a maximum of 10 years in prison if you are found spiking someone’s drink.
A study carried out by BBC Radio 5 Live Investigations in 2019 revealed that “more than 2,600 reports of drink-spiking incidents in England and Wales since 2015”.
Drinkaware however, states “because there are no official statistics, it’s difficult to know the true extent of the crime”.
When your drink has been spiked it will be hard to tell. Drinkaware’s medical advisor, Dr Sarah Jarvis states “if your drink has been spiked, it’s unlikely that you will see, smell or taste any difference. Most date rape drugs take effect within 15-30 minutes and symptoms usually last for several hours.”
Symptoms and more information can be found here, including where to go if you have been a victim of drink spiking: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/staying-safe-while-drinking/drink-spiking-and-date-rape-drugs#symptomsofdrinkspiking
Feature image credit: Nightcap
Lifestyle Editor / Third year journalism student
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