Spiking: What is being done to combat Bristol’s newest epidemic?

One night in first year, I left a bustling club because I felt too sober to deal with the drunken antics of those on the dance floor. As I got home, I started shaking, felt my temperature run hot and cold: Overall, I  felt something was wrong. 10 minutes later, I started throwing up, and I didn’t stop for the next hour.

I texted my flatmates letting them know, and that’s when I found out one of them also felt ill, shaking non-stop. It was then that I realised me and her had shared a drink that could easily have been tampered with as we milled around the busy outside area of the club.

Although we were both safe and ultimately fine, it drove home the dangers of going out and gave us a nasty taste of the horrifying experience people go through when they’re spiked.

Why is spiking such a big problem?

In 2023, 2.2 per cent of UK adults reported being spiked – that’s equivalent to roughly 1.2 million people, or in other words, the population of Bristol and Bath combined. And that’s just the cases that get reported.

In 2021, Bristol experienced its own “spiking epidemic”, which saw 185 reports of spiking in just six weeks, from October to November (around the Freshers’ period).

In a poll conducted on The Bristol Tab on Instagram, 37 per cent of people said they had been, or known of someone who had been spiked in the past few weeks.

The Clifton Triangle is home to many bars and clubs, including Daisy’s (previously named Embargo’s), Brass Pig, La Rocca, Lola Lo’s and more. The area is a nightlife hotspot for Bristol Uni students, but with so many people in close proximity, issues can arise.

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Not only does spiking often leave a mental scar, but it can also lead to a range of enduring physical effects. As well as 14 per cent of spiking reports involving an account of sexual assault, the use of needles in spiking can also lead to lifelong diseases like HIV.

So, what is being done?

Brass Pig (left) and Fishies Bristol (right) taking precautions toward spiking.

Clubs like Brass Pig and Thekla now stock drinks covers at the bar – if you can’t see some, simply ask the bartender. These are a handy preventative measure, allowing you to dance the night away without worrying that something has slipped into your drink. However, they are not foolproof, so keeping an eye on your drink is paramount to ensuring you can safely hit the town. Additionally, Daisy’s has drink spiking test kits available at the bar to allow for peace of mind when enjoying your night.

Whilst club spaces tend to be packed areas, try to keep an eye on people nearby you, and watch over your friends.

Daisy’s recently announced it will be conducting more thorough searches and require student ID upon entry, but this does not account for the nasty truth that spiking can be happening within the university’s student population, so stay aware of who is around you.

Boycotting the Triangle

Following some recent spiking reports, some societies that host socials at clubs on the Triangle are now boycotting attendance.
Bristol Dance Soc posted a statement to Instagram last month (February 13th), warning their members about the dangers they may face when going out.

Their post reads: “We will not be attending clubbing socials for the foreseeable, and urge members to think carefully where they may choose to go out.”

Speaking to Daisy’s about these conversations, a spokesperson said: “The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest priorities, and we take any reports of spiking extremely seriously.

“We have always had a strong relationship with the Student Union, and sponsor a lot of student activities throughout the year.

“We are committed to student safety and will continue working with authorities to ensure our venue remains a safe and welcoming space.”

Several reports have circulated about spiking in the Triangle using needles – although these incidents are still being investigated by the police, it’s important to keep these in mind when you’re partying.

What to do in a spiking incident

If you think that you have been spiked, make sure you alert someone you trust so they can help look after you. It’s also often helpful to alert a member of staff, who are usually trained for situations such as this, and can help you get to a safe space and call for further assistance. Once you are safe, it’s important to get tested.

This ensures that you are healthy and can also be used as evidence. Some drugs leave the body within 12 hours, so go as soon as you can. There may also be additional health risks, not just from the substance used in the spiking – needles used are unlikely to be sterilised, which may lead to health complications like HIV or hepatitis, so it’s imperative to get a medical check if you think you have been spiked.

If you have been spiked, there is a multitude of support services available to you, such as Victim Support, which offers online support and can direct you to other services if needed. Physical and mental health support services can also be found on the NHS and police websites should you need additional help.

It’s a tough reality to face – no one wants to have to worry about whether the snag on their skin is just a scrape from a stumbling student or actually the calling card of a needle spike. Raising awareness and taking measures to ensure safety is key to making Bristol a safer place to party, and everyone should do their part.

In conversation with the Avon & Somerset Police in regards to circulating spiking reports, a spokesperson said: “Police have had five reported spiking incidents at venues in the Clifton Triangle, Bristol, since 22 January”, with no similar reports on the Triangle since (as of 7th March).

After these incidents were reported, “no further offences have been disclosed by these individuals.

“We would always encourage people to report incidents and continue to work with our partners to ensure people can enjoy a safe night out in Bristol. More advice and information about drink-spiking can be found here: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/victims-witnesses-and-offenders/drink-drug-spiking-guidance/ If you are a victim of drink and drugs spiking, or know someone who is, you can report it online at: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/drink-and-drug-spiking/.”

Featured image via Google Maps