Most patients who believe they have had their drinks spiked test negative for drugs, research at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has found.
The study aimed to assess the scale of drink-spiking in the area and identify problems at specific clubs and pubs.
But the year-long investigation of hospital patients found fewer than one in five showed any trace of drugs.
The research concluded the patients’ symptoms were more likely to be the result of excess alcohol.
So-called “date rape” drugs include ketamine, Rohypnol and GHB.
During the 12-month study there were 75 alleged cases of drink-spiking.
Patient samples were analysed for alcohol and drug levels, and information was recorded about where the alleged spiking had happened.
The alleged incidents took place in 23 different locations, although two locations accounted for 31% of the cases. Only 14% of the patients had informed the police.
The research, which was published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, found 65% were twice the legal drink-driving limit, and 24% were three times the drink-drive limit.
You know when more and more people started reporting being drugged at parties I started worrying about friends. But looking at the numbers I wonder if it isn’t more a case of embarrassment from getting drunk and sleeping with the wrong person.
Tags: Food and Drinking, Interesting, Irony, Knowledge, News, Science
