Spiked drinks place teens at risk

9243 09.5.19 Guests helped themselves to drinks as they waited for the arrival of Duduzile Zuma at her 27th birthday cocktail party held in a tent at the Inanda Club. Picture: Cara Viereckl

9243 09.5.19 Guests helped themselves to drinks as they waited for the arrival of Duduzile Zuma at her 27th birthday cocktail party held in a tent at the Inanda Club. Picture: Cara Viereckl

Published Jul 31, 2013

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Pietermaritzburg - A teenager is recovering in the intensive care unit of a Pietermaritzburg hospital after being given a suspected spiked drink at a popular nightclub.

The parents of the 18-year-old, who alerted the public to the incident on the Facebook page of private investigator Brad Nathanson, said they were shocked when they received the call informing them their daughter had been drugged.

They were reluctant to discuss the incident with the Daily News on Tuesday, but it has sparked heated debate on social media sites, with nightclub managers being accused of not “policing” their establishments properly and of creating a haven for drug dealers and underage drinking.

There is disagreement over who is responsible for preventing the underage drinking and recreational drug use that goes on at night spots.

The finger of blame is being pointed at club management as well as at parents who allow their children to frequent these establishment.

The manager of one of the nightclubs mentioned on Nathanson’s page – a popular place that has been operating in Pietermaritzburg for many years – hit back at the accusers, says the management did “everything in its power” to ensure the safety of patrons and to eradicate drug use at the club.

“I do, however, believe that it comes down to the responsibility of the patrons as well as parents,” the manager said, adding that several patrons caught using and selling drugs at the club had been banned from the establishment.

Another club owner told the Daily News that drugs in clubs were common.

“We don’t condone it, but we can’t stop it either. It is a constant battle, but the bottom line is we cannot control what our patrons do,” the club owner said.

Alarmingly, young people are reporting more cases of their drinks being spiked.

Annabel Johnson, 47, a Pietermaritzburg mother of two teenage daughters, said her daughters had gone to a nightclub two weekends ago.

While one daughter was all right, the other had what resembled an epileptic seizure after consuming a drink at the bar.

“My older daughter called us and we rushed to the club. By the time we got there my younger daughter was incoherent and sweating profusely.

“We took her to the hospital where it was determined that her drink had been spiked. It was a complete nightmare. Thankfully no permanent damage was done.”

According to medical practitioner and drug counsellor Dr Pravin Shah, victims are often aged between 17 and 25.

Although men are also at risk, most victims are women, he says.

“Parents need to educate their teenagers not to let anyone buy them a drink, not to let anyone taste their drink and never to leave their drink unattended,” said the doctor.

A policeman who monitors nightclubs in the Pietermaritzburg CBD said that people spiked drinks for a number of reasons.

These included wanting to sexually assault, rape or rob the victim, wanting to see the effect it would have on the person, wanting to play a practical joke or wanting to liven up a party.

“For whatever reason, the consequences are dire, and could even be fatal. I have seen my share of frightened young girls, waking up outside a club feeling sick to their stomach, not knowing what happened to them or how they got there. It is a reality that we need to alter as a matter of urgency,” the policeman said.

According to information supplied by the South African Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the most common prescription drugs used to spike drinks are barbiturates, muscle relaxants and hypnotics such as Rohypnol (commonly refered to as the date rape drug). Illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine are also known to be used.

If your drink has been spiked, the common symptoms include dizziness and difficulty walking, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, blurred vision and disorientation as well as memory loss.

The policeman warned teenagers who believed their drink had been spiked to get to the nearest hospital and have their blood tested as soon as possible as drugs left the system in 12 to 72 hours.

“Also it is extremely important to report it to the police. The majority of victims don’t report cases, but it is important so that we can combat this type of crime,” he said.

SAPS spokeswoman Lieutenant Joey Jeevan said police received complaints of spiked drinks on occasion and these were investigated, but were often difficult to follow up.

“Underage drinking and illegal drug use is of great concern to the SAPS. Parents are also advised to monitor the activities and whereabouts of their teenagers,” Jeevan said.

Social worker Cindy Ngubane said that while the spiking of drinks did happen, teenagers were using it as an excuse for excessive substance and alcohol abuse.

“If you know your child has an issue with drugs or alcohol, get them help,” Ngubane said.

Party safety tips

Some ways to ensure your drink is not spiked are:

* Buy your own drinks

* Don’t drink anything you did not open or see being opened or poured

* Never accept a drink from a stranger

* Don’t leave your drink unattended

* Don’t share, swop or drink leftover drinks

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