A teenager has described how she ended up in hospital after having her drink spiked on a night out in Swansea.
Phoebe Crooks, 18, said she was having a good night in Whitez in Uplands with a pal when a man bought a bottle of Prosecco for the pair.
She said she had little memory of what happened after that and that she had to be carried out of the venue.
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Phoebe, of Brynmill, reported the incident to the police who, following a test of her urine discovered evidence of a synthetic cannabinoid, which are the compounds found within cannabis.
She said: “I don’t remember passing my second drink. I had two vodka lemonades and there was a man at the bar who bought me and my friend a bottle of Prosecco.
“But it was just me who ended up drinking it on my own. I don’t remember anything after that. It didn’t seem like there was anything wrong to me but my friend could tell something was up.
“She said I was pretty out of it and I was disorientated - it went pear-shaped. By the time I had left they had to carry me out of the venue. My friends took me home in a taxi - I was in and out of consciousness. I don’t remember banging my head, I didn’t have a clue what was going on.
“They could see I was shaking and my eyes were rolling - they phoned an ambulance. It was in the early hours of Saturday morning I went to hospital and in the afternoon of Saturday I was discharged. I missed work on Saturday and Sunday.”
She added: “I haven’t got a clue who the man was (who bought her the drink) and reported it to the police.”
Staff at the hospital were unable to test her after the incident, which happened at 10.30pm, she said, but police officers did so instead as part of their investigation.
But Phoebe, who works in customer service, said she felt that when the police discovered it was not a typical 'date rape drug' in her system, they treated her differently.
She said: “They found a synthetic cannabinoid, which is how you make spice. As soon as the police saw it was not what they were expecting - they found it was not ketamine or a date rape drug - so they were different to me."
Of her whole experience, said added: “It was scary, I never expected it to happen.”
Her nan, Ali Morris, who is an independent specialist consultant, said: “We have been disappointed with the police response and have put in a complaint.
“Whitez has been fantastic and I have had messages asking how she is.”
Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi said: “Drink spiking is a growing issue in pubs, clubs and bars across the country and it’s unacceptable that women have to contend with this violence when they go out for a drink in Swansea.
“I've written to the health board and the police to ask what they are doing to ensure evidence is gathered quickly when someone is spiked. The police and hospitals need to be working in tandem to protect victims when these disgusting incidents occur."
Wales Online has requested a comment from South Wales Police and Whitez.
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