With the spread of date rape drugs in nightlife venues, police in Klaipėda have been handing out stickers to cover drinks. In the capital, the Night Office encourages bars and clubs to sell single-use tests that detect drugs in beverages and runs special training to help staff recognise potential threats. However, representatives admit that not all businesses take part in these initiatives.
Increasingly, reports emerge of people being spiked with so-called date rape drugs in bars and clubs, usually secretly mixed into drinks. LRT explores measures to protect against such incidents, with experts emphasising that responsibility lies with the perpetrators, not the victims.
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Preventive action in Klaipėda and Night Office initiatives in Vilnius
In Klaipėda, police have launched a preventive campaign in the city streets, distributing special stickers for covering drinks to prevent criminals from slipping in intoxicating substances. According to Aurelija Studencova of the Klaipėda County Police Headquarters, the stickers, which even accommodate a straw, are an effective protective measure.
In Vilnius, the Night Office – a civic initiative – works to improve safety in nightlife venues. 27 bars and clubs have signed an agreement to train staff to recognise threats and participate in other initiatives. However, Emilija Gaidytė, project manager at the office, acknowledges that not all establishments are fully engaged.
"Some places are not as motivated and fail to recognise the problem. [...] However, risks exist everywhere, in all public spaces. In fact, so-called date rape drugs are used not only in nightlife venues [...] but also in close social settings, such as gatherings with friends," noted Gaidytė.
The Night Office also promotes a help phrase: patrons can request an “Angel shot” at the bar to discreetly signal that they need assistance. The office also encourages venues to sell single-use tests that detect common spiking substances such as GHB and ketamine, although a negative test does not guarantee that a drink is completely safe.
"One of the main substances used to intoxicate victims are sleeping pills or sedatives, but those tests do not identify such substances," said Gaidytė.
Clubs step up safety measures
Following reports last year of possible spiking at the Opium club, additional safety measures have been introduced. According to club manager Karolis Šlikas, toxicologists now monitor events at Opium and Gallery 1986 every weekend.
“During larger events, the entire ‘Be Safe Lab’ team is present – that includes a doctor, a toxicologist, and a psychologist,” said the manager.
Following the recommendations of the Vilnius Night Office, the club also provides drink covers and single-use drug tests, which typically cost around one euro. According to the manager, the Night Office trains staff to recognise potential threats, but not all employees have completed the training.
“The sessions are usually held during the day, and not everyone can fit them around their studies or other jobs,” Šlikas explained.
Date rape drugs can be applied even to straws
Professor Snieguolė Matulienė of Mykolas Romeris University advises checking online reviews before visiting a venue.
“The reputation of nightclubs is extremely fragile – you can detect warnings on various websites saying ‘avoid this place’ or ‘stay away from that bar’, because there have been cases where women couldn’t remember what they drank or ate,” the professor said.
She warns that drink covers may not always be effective. Drugs can be sprayed or applied to straws, and even a tiny amount can be enough to incapacitate someone.
Toxicologist Laima Žėkienė of Vilnius University Hospital adds that spiked drinks may show no change in colour or taste, and effects vary depending on the individual and their tolerance, particularly when combined with alcohol.
She also stressed that fears of seeking medical help are unfounded.
“As doctors, we don’t call the police in cases of suspected intoxication – especially when someone comes in saying something may have been put in their drink. We make sure to treat such cases with particular care,” said Žėkienė.
People should remain vigilant in nightlife venues, never leave drinks unattended, and seek medical attention immediately if spiking is suspected, while also reporting the incident to the police. Precise statistics on such incidents in Lithuania are currently unavailable, as victims often do not come forward.
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