A YOUNG woman has claimed she lost consciousness in a nightclub toilet and later needed hospital treatment after her drink was spiked with a drug during a night out with friends.

By Danielle Nuttall

A YOUNG woman has claimed she lost consciousness in a nightclub toilet and later needed hospital treatment after her drink was spiked with a drug during a night out with friends.

The 22-year-old, from Ipswich, who does not want to be named, was with friends in the town on June 28 when she left an alcoholic drink unattended in a bar for 20 minutes to go outside.

After she returned and consumed the drink, the young woman said she had no recollection of the rest of the night, despite only drinking two glasses of wine all evening.

The group moved on to a nightclub where the victim, who is a project worker, became ill and lost consciousness in the toilets.

She was taken by her father to Ipswich Hospital's A&E department, where she was given an injection to stop the sickness.

Tests revealed the presence of an unidentified drug that hospital staff said could possibly have been a diluted form of the date rape drug rohypnol or something similar.

Police have now issued a warning to revellers in the wake of the incident.

The woman said: “I can remember everything before that drink. There are huge gaps from there onwards.

“I was conscious my words were slurring and I couldn't articulate how I was feeling. I went into the toilet and was feeling unwell. I was in there for two hours in and out of consciousness. I think everybody assumed I had had too much to drink.”

The woman said that initially her father was angry as he thought she might have had too much to drink but realised it was completely out of character.

“I have never been a drinker,” she said.

“He called the doctor who lives two doors down at 2.30am in the morning. She said the only way I was going to know was if they took me down to A&E.

“The results were not conclusive. They said there was definitely a substance present. It was more likely to be a diluted form of rohypnol or a drug similar.

“They said it had not taken full effect because I reacted very quickly to it and if I hadn't been sick it would have had a more severe reaction.”

The woman is now warning other partygoers not to leave their drinks unattended and to be vigilant.

And a spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “It is important that people limit their consumption of alcohol to ensure that they enjoy themselves without putting themselves at risk of losing their self control.

“Although in Suffolk, there has not been a single proven reported incident of a drink being spiked with a noxious substance, it is prudent to take care with your drinks when out in pubs and clubs.

“Keep them in sight or appoint someone you know well and trust to keep their eye on your drink if you need to leave it.

“If at any stage your drink tastes unusual and you think it may have been interfered with, throw it away.”