On-trade

Fear of drink spiking increases among Irish population, survey finds

57% know someone who has been spiked in the past, while nearly 19% of respondents self-reported being spiked themselves
Just under one in four say they're drinking more cocktails than they were a year ago.

Irish population is more aware of drink spiking issues than before and recognises the need to address the problem

Ireland’s first drink spiking detection test, CYD Check Your Drink, has released the results of a nationwide survey on drink spiking, shedding light on the issue’s prevalence and impact on the Irish population.

According to the survey, more than half of respondents (57%) know someone who has been spiked in the past, while nearly 19% of respondents self-reported being spiked themselves. When asked about their feelings towards drink spiking, 54.15% of people said they were more afraid of being spiked now than in the last five years, while 30.77% reported having the same level of concern as before.

The survey indicates that the Irish population is more aware of drink spiking issues than before and recognises the need to address the problem.

Owen McKeon, CEO of Phrassa, CYD Check Your Drink said: “Our research clearly shows that drink spiking is a pervasive problem in Ireland, and it’s time we took action. We are extremely proud to offer a simple and effective solution that can help people protect themselves and prevent becoming victims. It’s our hope that Check Your Drink’s self-test kits will become a standard part of any night out, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a safe and positive social experience.”

CYD Check Your Drink was introduced into Ireland in 2022 and operates in both Ireland and the UK. Their self-test kits are available for purchase in all major pharmacies. The tests can be bought in a single package containing five tests. Using the test is simple – just add a single drop of the drink to be tested, and within seconds, the test can indicate the presence of the drugs Ketamine and GHB which are used for drink spiking. This discrete and fast indication makes it an ideal solution for anyone who suspects that a drink has been spiked.


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