BY TAMSYN BUCKLE

There are fears cases of drink spiking are returning as nightlife returns to pre-covid levels.

Drink spiking is chronically underreported, but estimated to impact around 4000 Australians every year.  The issue has received ongoing media attention as reports of drink spiking have increased since lockdown limits were lifted in September last year.

Fourth-year Monash engineering student Taylor Poon was on a Chapel Street pub-crawl organised by a student society last year when friends noticed she had become very quickly intoxicated after buying one beer at the bar.

“I was sitting at the table and my head kept on falling forward and then my friends realised that’s not my normal drunk behaviour,” Ms Poon said.

While she was fortunately taken home by her boyfriend and close friends, when she woke up the next morning, a breathalyser test revealed her Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level was still extremely high.

“It was pretty scary, because I knew there was something that probably wasn’t alcohol in my system,” Ms Poon said.

Although extremely grateful she was surrounded by people she trusted, Ms Poon has called for greater awareness for venues, event organisers and security to ensure those new to university always feel safe attending social events.

“Especially in first year, when you don’t know that many people and you don’t have that support network, it could be really dangerous,” she said.

Safety at student-organised events is often in the hands of other students, along with venue security that are not trained or employed by the university. 

Monash Student Union Caulfield (MONSU) President Maxi Hunt said the common procedure at social events is to elect a minimum of three “responsible reps” from the society’s committee to remain sober and ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. 

While these safety precautions can help reduce drink spiking, Ms Hunt said the solution to the issue lies with education, referring to the Monash Respect.Now.Always resources provided by the university. 

“It comes down to broader education on safety and partying, some people may have had access to that at high school, but not everyone so it’s important there is information to access through Uni,” she said.

Ms Hunt acknowledged the key barrier to progress against drink spiking was the disconnect between people who access these resources and the people who need it.

Without education on the issue reaching the right people, a cultural change to put an end to drink spiking seems distant, she said.

This leaves the onus on women, who make up more than 85 per cent of victims, to protect themselves.