Suspected spiking incidents should be treated as crimes and 'investigated promptly' say Wexford councillors

Suspected spiking incidents should be handled as crimes by Gardaí, with toxicology testing made available to victims and their families when specifically requested. Spiking is described as giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or agreement, often through slipping substances into drinks or discreetly pricking someone in crowded spaces. Victims may become incapacitated or unconscious and unable to protect themselves until substances leave their system. Wexford County Council councillors have called for ministers to explain why toxicology testing is absent even when requested, and to introduce measures for timely Garda statements and preservation of evidence when victims are incapacitated. They also seek a clear national pathway across hospitals and Garda stations for prompt investigation and appropriate clinical and policing protocols.

"Suspected spiking incidents should be treated as crimes by gardaí with toxicology testing provided for victims and their families when specifically requested. That's according to Wexford's Fianna Fáil councillors who have submitted a motion to both Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan calling for more uniformity in how suspected spiking incidents are handled by gardaí."

"Generally administered either by slipping drugs into someone's drink or by discretely pricking them with a needle in a crowded space, spiking is described by the HSE as when "someone gives you drugs or alcohol without you knowing or agreeing to it". In many instances victims are rendered incapicitated or unconscious as a result of being spiked and are unable to fend for themselves until the drugs leave their system."

"They asked that the ministers explain "the rationale for the absence of toxicology testing in such cases, even when specifically requested by patients or their families" and that measures be introduced to ensure timely Garda statements and "the preservation of evidence where a victim is incapacitated"."

"Lastly, they requested that both ministers commit to "establishing a clear national pathway across hospitals and Garda stations to ensure suspected spiking incidents are treated as crimes, investigated promptly, and supported by appropriate clinical and policing protocols.""

Read at Irish Independent