Women and girls are being urged to stay alert after reported spiking incidents in Scotland surged by more than half in just a year.
The sharp rise has fuelled fresh concerns over safety on nights out, with Police Scotland warning everyone to remain vigilant.
The figures show reported drugging offences soared by almost 56 per cent to 154 cases last year.
Police Scotland said 24 of the reported incidents were linked to sexual offences.
Campaigners warn the true scale of spiking could be far higher – as many victims never come forward.
The surge in reported cases has renewed concerns about safety on nights out, particularly for women and girls, as incidents continue in bars, clubs and other social venues.
As England and Wales crack down on spiking with a new stand-alone criminal offence carrying a 10-year jail term, Scotland is refusing to follow suit.
Holyrood ministers have ruled out introducing similar legislation north of the border despite growing calls from campaigners.
Scottish-based charity Spike Aware UK insist they will continue fighting to make spiking a stand-alone criminal offence in Scotland.
They say they will keep piling pressure on ministers and have requested a meeting with new Justice Secretary Neil Gray to press the case for reform.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, Stephen Kerr MSP, claims the “shocking figures” are a “damning indictment” of the SNP’s soft-touch approach to justice.
He said: “We know the true scale of spiking is far greater because too many victims still lack confidence that anything will be done when they come forward.
“The SNP have repeatedly ignored calls for a standalone offence, despite rising cases and abysmal conviction rates.”
Mr Kerr added: “Their complacency has failed victims and emboldened offenders.
“It is time to toughen the law, introduce a specific spiking offence, and make it clear that this dangerous, predatory crime will be met with the full force of the law.”
According to Spike Aware UK, most victims of spiking attacks are young females in their late teens and early twenties but they say anyone can be a victim of drugging.
They say cases often go unreported because victims fear they won’t be believed by police because they have been drinking
Most young people say they are only too well aware of the spiking risk, with the fear of being targeted an-ever present threat hanging over nights out.
Colin and Mandy Mackie founded Spike Aware UK in 2017 after the tragic death of their son Greg, whose drink was spiked.
Since then, they have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and help prevent drink and needle spiking.
Colin said: “The majority of spiking attacks go unreported.
“This is usually because the victims cannot actually recall the detail of what happened to them due to the effects of the spiking drug on their memory.
“Most young people are fully aware of what spiking is and live with the fear of being attacked.
“Spiking is accepted as part of a ‘normal’ night out for most young people and has been for many years.”
Drink spiking is defined as the secret addition of alcohol or drugs – including illegal or prescription substances – to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent.
Experts say it is often linked to serious offences including sexual assault, theft, and physical assault, as well as so-called “pranks”.
The effects vary depending on the substance used, but symptoms can come on quickly and without warning.
Victims may suddenly feel unusually disinhibited, unsteady on their feet, or excessively drowsy, while others report blurred vision, confusion and nausea. In more severe cases, individuals can vomit or lose consciousness altogether.
The Drinkaware campaign warns spiking can involve so-called “date rape” drugs, illegal drugs and prescription medicines such as stimulants, tranquillisers, sedatives and opiates.
Chief Superintendent Derek Cree stressed they investigated all reports from people having been “spiked”.
He said: “If a sufficiency of evidence is gained, reports are submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“People should be able to go out for a night out without fear of being spiked.
“We are working with a range of partners… to ensure licensed premises are safe spaces for all.
“We work in partnership with other emergency services, student bodies, universities/colleges and third sector organisations to raise awareness and provide support for anyone affected.”
He urged anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Spiking is an abhorrent crime, and comprehensive laws are already in place to prosecute perpetrators of spiking, including the common law offences of drugging and assault, which carry penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
“We recognise the importance of this issue, which is why we are currently consulting on it as part of a wider consultation on improving protections in the justice system for women and girls.”
