Women -

[Gromit]

The Government issued warnings yesterday about the dangers of drinks being 'spiked' with drugs. The fear is that when the smoking ban comes in, people will leave their drinks to go outside to smoke leaving an opportunity for their drinks to be tampered with. However, recent evidence suggests that in most cases where a date rape drug was alleged to have been administered, scientific analysis revealed no drug, but were just the results of binge-drinking.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=436592&in_page_i d=1770

This crime undoubtedly occurs but is exceedingly rare. Is advice such as 'don't go to pubs alone' making the fear of the crime far greater than the actual risk. Or am I being complacent because I am male (even though it happens to men as well).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/04/03/nrape03.xml

[coco pops]

I think you are being a bit complacent, you should never leave a drink unattended .

[Gromit]

coco pops,

Agreed, you should never leave your drinks unattend. The advice though is to stay at home because if you go out alone you are a target.

[coco pops]

I think women have to make sure they are safe . It is a symptom of our society that this advise is given. It doesn't say much for the govenment when one of their watchdogs tells women to stay at home .

[Figi]

What's wrong with taking your drink outside with you when you go out for a fag?

[spudmuffa]

Good question. I would just stay in every night and stare at a glass-fronted cabinet and pretend it is a TV. It works wonders. You can put your glass of gin and snacks on a wee side-table and enjoy a good rousing evening in. Hope this helps.

[salsadancer]

In Canada they have made a law that allows women to take their drinks into the loo with them for safeguarding. (Not too hygienic) Spiked drinks have been a problem. In Canada there is some sort of law ordinarily not allowing people to walk from room to room with drinks.