Women’s drinks spiked at Nanaimo club, police issue warning

Nanaimo RCMP are raising the alarm after two women had their drinks spiked at a city nightclub.

Both incidents took place Friday, April 5, and were reported to police the following Wednesday.

Police are not naming the nightclub and did not release any details on what happened to the women after their drinks were spiked.

Drink spiking occurs when a drug — often Rohypnol, GHB or ketamine — is surreptitiously added to someone’s beverage.

Victims often feel light-headed, and have slurred speech, memory loss, nausea and loss of consciousness, said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O’Brien. Effects may vary from person to person, depending on their weight, amount of alcohol consumed and state of alertness, and are often felt within 10 to 20 minutes.

Drink tampering can occur anywhere, not just nightclubs, O’Brien said. If you believe your drink has been spiked, stay with friends and immediately seek medical attention.

Police advise the following precautions to avoid having a drink spiked: • Don’t accept a drink from a stranger. • If you do accept a drink from someone you don’t know, go to the bar and watch the drink being poured. • Never leave your drink unattended. • While holding your drink, try to keep a hand over top of it to prevent something from being added to it. • Keep an eye on your drink at all times. If you go to the washroom, have a trusted friend watch it. • If the taste or colour of your drink has changed at all, stop drinking it immediately. • If you begin to feel dizzy or sick, do not leave your friends. Tell them you need help and have them stay at your side.

Police ask anyone with information about drink tampering to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers at nanaimocrimestoppers.com or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).