‘Spiked drinks’ alert ahead of big night out

SELFLESS charity volunteers from the St John Ambulance Service will be in the city centre this weekend as fears continue over the spiking of drinks.

In their usual weekly patrol, paramedics from the service will be on hand to help clubbers tonight.

They will be stationed on Sackville Street, in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village.

Clubbers took to the streets of Manchester earlier this week to boycott nightclubs following a rise in spiking reports. And St John Ambulance confirmed that teams are ‘very aware’ of the recent stories in the media around the risks of being spiked.

Volunteers are also ‘more alert’ to the issue around people being injected.

Members of the Night Time Economy Support Services (NTE) will be present to give medical care and support to people this weekend.

A spokesperson said: “St John Ambulance night-time economy (NTE) support services provide medical care and support to help keep people safe and well.

“The teams of first-aiders and experienced healthcare professionals can also signpost to relevant services, including sending people to hospital if appropriate, and make arrangements to ensure people who have minor injuries or are worse for wear get home safely.

“If you or others feel unwell, notify bar and door staff who can call for medical assistance where they can contact the NTE service.

“The Manchester NTE Village service is an open, inclusive and supportive service providing non-judgemental support to service users.

“We are LGBTQ+ friendly, with awareness to the challenges people may face, and are very motivated to provide help and support to the community.

“We will be supporting the city’s night-time economy and taking pressure off NHS services by providing first aid and medical treatment on the scene, wherever possible.”

Ahead of the weekend, the charity also warned of the main telltale signs of being spiked.

These include a loss of balance, fatigue, lowering of inhibitions, visual problems, confusion and vomiting.

It also encouraged club-goers to stay with friends, never leave drinks unattended and not accept any drinks they don’t witness being poured at the bar.

The North West Ambulance Service was approached for comment.