The Government will introduce a law that sees spiking become an official criminal offence in the King's Speech on Wednesday.
Though spiking is already a crime, both Labour and the Conservative manifesto said creating a new, specific offence would help police better respond to incidents.
It is expected to be included in more than 35 bills in the programme.
The programme is also expected to bring back legislation to introduce Martyn's Law, named after Manchester Bombing victim Martyn Hett.
In the year ending April 2023, police in England and Wales received 6,732 reports of spiking, including needle spiking.
Reports of drink spiking increased by 13 per cent in July to December 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, after a quadrupling in recent years.
The Met police received 1,383 allegations of spiking in 2023, with the majority of cases happening in public places such as bars and nightclubs.
The National Police Chief’s Council noted that spiking is under-reported and that cases can be difficult to investigate because drugs may only be in the system for a short period of time.
What is spiking?
Spiking is the act of giving another person drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or consent. For example, in their drink or with a needle.
Spiking is a crime. The law states that “it is a crime to maliciously administer, cause to administer or cause to be taken by any other person any poison or destructive or noxious thing, such as to endanger their life, cause them grievous bodily harm, or intentionally injure, aggrieve, or annoy them”.
It carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence in the UK. It is unclear whether the new law would increase the possible maximum sentence.
How to know if your drink has been spiked
There are various warning signs that could indicate a drink has been tampered with. Generally, excess fizziness in your drink, a change in taste or colour, or a foggy or cloudy appearance are signs to pay attention to.
However, a spiked drink may sometimes show no signs at all.
There are also products such as test strips and stickers that detect the presence of drugs.
Reduce the risk of spiking by only accepting drinks from people you know and trust, not leaving your drink unattended and being wary of your surroundings, watching out for anyone reaching over your drinks.
However, it is never your fault if you have been a victim of spiking.
What are the signs you've been spiked?
There are a number of symptoms to watch out for if you believe that you or a companion has been spiked, including:
- Dizziness or poor co-ordination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Loss of proper communication or speech difficulties (for example, slurring).
- Breathing problems
- A hangover that lasts longer than usual
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Unconsciousness
What should you do if your drink has been spiked?
If you think your drink has been spiked and you’ve noticed symptoms, call an ambulance. If you think there may have been a sexual assault, go to your nearest sexual assault referral centre for specialist care and support.
