Drink and Drugs

We're working hard in Tayside to deal with the serious problems caused by illegal drug use. Use of illegal drugs causes serious problems in our communities.

Misuse of alcohol, illegal substances or prescription medication can lead to many problems, including:

• Problems with your health and well-being
• Problems with your mood and mental health
• Relationship difficulties
• Difficulties with your University course work
• Money problems
• Risk of a criminal conviction if caught in possession of an illegal substance.

Further information and advice on drugs can be found at http://knowthescore.info/

For free confidential drugs information and advice call the Know the Score helpline on 0800 589 587 9. Trained advisers will be there to talk to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need further help they will point you in the right direction.

Drink Spiking

Drink spiking is when someone puts harmful drugs into your drink when you are not looking, and without you knowing about it. Often, the drugs used are similar to tranquilisers, and they can make you feel dizzy, confused and sometimes lead to unconsciousness. Sometimes people also have no memory of what happened. The drugs commonly used are rohypnol, GHB and ketamine.

How to avoid having your drink spiked:

• Don’t share or exchange drinks with anyone.
• Always drink from a bottle – it’s more difficult to drop a drug into a bottle that it is to drop a drug into a glass.
• Never accept a drink from someone you do not completely trust.
• If you do accept a drink from someone, make sure it is in a bottle and that the bottle is opened in front of you.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Never drink leftover drinks or drinks discarded by someone else.
• Think carefully whether you should leave a pub, club or party with someone you’ve just met.

What to do if you think you have had your drink spiked:

• If you start to feel strange, nauseous, or drunk after only one or two drinks, or you know that you could not be drunk, seek help from a trusted friend or a senior member of the club / pub management.
• If there is not a trusted friend in your company, contact a friend, relative or partner to come and fetch you.
• Never let a stranger take you home – they could be the one who spiked your drink.
• If you think you have been spiked please seek immediate medical assistance at A&E or from your own GP and call Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222.

Rape

If you think you have been raped it is essential that you contact Tayside Police at the earliest opportunity on 0300 111 2222.