Watch Your Drink: Arlington Police Warn Public About Drink Spiking At Area Nightspots

CLARENDON, VA — Arlington County Police are warning the public to be on the lookout for possible drink spiking happening at local nightlife establishments, according to a police release.

Spiking occurs when someone puts alcohol or drugs into a person's drink without their knowledge or permission.

ACPD issued its warning on Friday, after receiving reports of six possible spiking incidents in October. The victims, all of whom are women, said they lost consciousness or their memory after visiting various nightspots in Clarendon and Crystal City during the weekends. They told police that they believed someone had tampered with their drinks.

Spiking drinks is a Class 3 felony, which is punishable with a minimum of 5 years and a maximum to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

No suspect has been identified in any of these cases, which remain under investigation.

ACPD offered the following tips to help people safeguard their drinks when they are out at a nightspot:

• Never leave your drink unattended
• Avoid sharing drinks with others
• Do not accept drinks from strangers
• If someone you do not know offers you a drink and you accept, go to the bar with them and have the drink served directly to you
• If you did not see your drink poured, do not drink it
• Keep an eye on your friends and their drinks

Anyone who believes that their drink has been spike or they see someone spiking a drink should immediately call 9-1-1.

Arlington County offers a number of resources available 24/7 for victims of suspected drink spiking or a drug-assisted sexual assault:

• Arlington County Police, 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency
• Doorways Dating/Domestic/Sexual Violence Hotline, 703-237-0881
• Inova Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (Forensic Exams), 703-776-4001 (ask to page a FACT Nurse)