IT Carlow Student's Union has launched an initiative to combat the rise in people's drinks being spiked on a night out.
It comes as there is a drink spiking ‘crisis' going on at the moment.
That’s according to the Carlow IT Student's Union President, who has confirmed to Beat that they have seen cases of injection spiking, as well as a rise in drink spiking in clubs in the town.
Thomas Drury says they’re currently working with Gardaí and will launch a number of initiatives over the next few weeks to combat the rising issue.
Speaking to Beat News, Thomas admits it is a worrying trend:
"We are releasing an anti spiking pledge which brings an Garda Siochana together with the students union and every single student venue in the town against spiking in the town. We are the very we can do at the moment to end this crisis."
Cases of needle spiking have now arrived in the South-East.
Needle spiking involved injecting someone with drugs without their consent, often with needles so small the person can barely notice it.
The initiative is called 'Spike Watch', where starting from tonight, across all venues in Carlow Town, members of the ITCSU and volunteers will be on-site to hand out anti-drink protectors and will be educating people on anti spiking practices.
Female students in the UK have already begun boycotting clubs in fear of their safety.
Speaking to Beat News, these IT Carlow students say it also turns them off going out.
One says "I go out every other week now, but now I'm just like I don't want to go out because I don't feel safe."
Another added that "It's a lot more worrying going out and stuff because you don't know what's going to happen - so I feel when you go out, you're not really going out if that makes sense."
While another said "at one stage you're worrying I need to mind my drink and now you're worrying that you need to mind your arms at the same time - you'd be better off wearing a big puffer coat in the place so you don't get spiked."
Image: IT Carlow's Students Union Facebook
