A nightclub that came under fire for selling "anti- spike " covers has now backed down by offering them for free.
Pryzm in Cardiff city centre slapped a 20p fee on top of drinks for the plastic anti-spiking drink covers.
The plastic covers are designed to be easily placed on drinks cups in order to stop people spiking drinks.
Women's Aid leaders said the charge was "not acceptable" adding: "The emphasis shouldn't be put on women and victims of abuse to make themselves safe."
The popular club in the Welsh capital's buzzing nightlife offered the covers as South Wales Police received 18 reports of potential spiking in September and October.
Clubber Peter Thomas, 21, said: "I was out with a group of girls from my course. The staff were offering them to the girls and asking for 20p per lid.
"Who's going to remember to ask for that each time they get a drink? Who wants to pay that each time they get a drink?
"It felt like they were using it as a business opportunity. It came across as cashing in on spiking when this could literally save a life. The girls I was with were a bit gobsmacked."
Student Peter expressed sympathy with the staff that were required to flog the lids.
"I know a lot of people have stopped going out now, and don't feel safe in Cardiff anymore," he added.
"I've been here four years, and it's the first time it's felt like this."
He said Cardiff Students' Union provides free covers at its bar - and stocks both drink-test and urine-test kits which can be used to check for spiking.
One student said she was left unable to feel her legs after a suspected drink spiking at the nightclub.
Georgia Latham, 21, had out been working as a hostess guiding a stag party around the city nightspots when she believes she was targeted.
Her shift ended at 11pm so she decided to enjoy one drink at Pryzm nightclub with a friend.
The pair then left the club before heading over to the nearby Live Lounge in Cardiff on Friday.
But the night took a terrifying turn when Georgia started to "lose feeling in her legs."
She said: "I remember we went to the toilet when we first got there, and I said to her I think I need some water and fresh air, and I don't feel right.
"I'd only had one drink, the one at Pryzm, so I knew I wasn't drunk."
Third-year Cardiff University student Georgia managed to tell a bouncer that she believed she had been spiked.
She was taken to a security room with a female member of staff.
Georgia said: "Then that's when I started to lose feeling in my legs.
"I sat there and I was with it in terms of I could process and hear what people were saying, but I couldn't respond, so I was just crying because I couldn't get my words out or say how I was feeling."
Georgia was checked over by a medic friend before she was advised to visit A&E.
She said: "I don't remember getting to hospital.
"The only thing I remember when arriving, which stays with me, is my friend Nisha said to the person at the door 'This is spiking.'
"We didn't even say where and one of the actual people at the hospital said 'Was it Pryzm?'.
"They knew the place before we said it and they said 'yeah you're not our first tonight.'"
Georgia was kept in for several hours and given anti-sickness tablets.
She said staff wouldn't run a toxicology but they suggested her symptoms were most likely caused by Rohypnol.
Debbie Beadle of Cardiff Women's Aid said: "It's nightclubs' responsibility to make sure they are doing everything in their power to make an environment where it's unacceptable to have this behaviour. Women are scared to go out. We are now seeing women staying at home. Is that the society we want?
"It's more than just putting covers on drinks. That's not stopping injections happening. It's about training staff to be more vigilant, making sure they are covering areas where it could happen. Whether that means staffing clubs more, that's what they should be doing.
"It's a growing concern. This is having an impact on young women's lives, especially after Covid and the impact on being able to go out, and this builds into that anxiety."
The club chain says its staff are "fully trained" on spiking and what to look out for.
It is searching all customers on entry, with ID scanners and metal detector arches. Its security staff wear bodycams and it has medics in its venues.
A Pryzm spokeswoman said: "Keeping our guests safe is our number one priority. We've listened to our guests and accept we made a mistake and are not charging for drink spiking devices."
South Wales Police say they are aware of "public concern" around spiking reports, as well as "some concern at the possibility that people are being 'spiked' by needles or syringes containing drugs".
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Gilmer said said that the force had received reports from people who believed they'd been needle spiked.
"The 18 reports (in September and October) range from the person reporting feeling a pin-prick or experiencing soreness or a mark to the arm," she said.
"Our officers are working with licensed premises to alert them to spiking methods and asking them to be extra vigilant at this time.
"We take all reports seriously and encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact us.
