Byron Bay Schoolies: Graduates taking extra precautions amid multiple claims of drink spiking
Teens out and about enjoying Byron Bay Schoolies celebrations say they are taking extra measures to protect themselves as drink spiking claims continue to emerge.
Byron Shire
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Graduates celebrating Schoolies at tourism haven Byron Bay on the North Coast are taking extra precautions to protect themselves against drink spiking as claims fly of multiple victims.
Police have confirmed a single case of reported spiking was investigated this week, but no evidence was found and no one has been arrested or charged.
Popular Beach Hotel Byron Bay has rubbished claims from multiple school leavers of spiking at the venue and said there was “no evidence of this allegation, which we take seriously”.
“We have conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, which has included collaboration with the local police and we have found no evidence … ,” a spokeswoman said.
“We have a significantly resourced and experienced guest services and security team along with a positive working relationship with the local police.
“We continue to work closely with all authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Schoolies guests.
“We take any allegations of this nature very seriously and we are committed to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all our customers.”
Various groups of teens in Byron spoke openly of spiking claims and said they were keeping their wits about them.
School leaver Ella, who declined to provide her surname, said: “We were warned by another girl who had been spiked and said she just felt terrible.”
“We still go to the Beach Hotel but we don’t buy drinks from there, we just have pre-drinks before heading out,” she said.
One group of young women said their own friend was spiked at Schoolies.
Emily Furlong, 18, said her group has been vigilant to protect themselves.
“We’ve definitely taken a more proactive approach,” she said.
“We won’t just accept a drink from a random. We’ve been getting our guy mates to buy us drinks, or we will get our drinks ourselves.”
Her friend Bella Delaney, 18, said: “We also cover our drinks when walking from the bar to where we are sitting, just to be sure.”
Cohen Jackson, 18, said young women were “generally pretty careful” and were only getting “guys they trust” to buy drinks.
The graduates said they wanted to warn others of potential spiking.
Tweed/Byron Police District stated a single incident of reported drink spiking was investigated on Monday and “no evidence has been found in this instance”.
“In NSW, police have seen an increase (in) reports of drink spiking, however, the number of actual drink spiking incidents remains low,” a spokesperson said.
“The most effective ways to reduce the chances of your drink being spiked are to keep an eye on your drink and never accept drinks from people you don’t know well or trust.
“Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a drinking spiking incident are encouraged to seek medical advice and report the matter to police.
“All reports of drink spiking are investigated.”
In NSW, drink or food spiking carries a maximum penalty of two years jail and an $11,000 fine.
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