A fresh awareness campaign warning about spiking is set to be launched after a “worrying phenomenon” has emerged with reports that women are being drugged by people using needles.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has said he has agreed to put together, with the Union of Students in Ireland, an awareness campaign warning about the possible spiking of women and others with drugs in bars and nightclubs in Ireland.
He said it was a “major worry” and that he had recently met with the USI to hear about reports and their concerns.
Women in Ireland have reportedly said they were spiked through the use of a needle while out socialising.
There have also been numerous reports of it occurring to women in the UK.
Minister Harris noted these reports and said it was a “worrying phenomenon” and said the issue was now "very much beginning to take hold here" and that there were "growing and very worrying reports.”
He said he would be raising the matter in coming days with the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, and that he was very eager to establish an awareness campaign for students in the coming weeks.
President of the USI, Clare Austick, tweeted: “Looking forward to progressing work in this area to ensure we create a zero-tolerance culture to spiking and provide support & care to those affected!”
