Students at IT Carlow patrol bars after drink spiking 'surge'
Students at IT Carlow, which is attended by many Laois students, are patrolling bars after a reported surge in drink-spiking.
IT Carlow Students' Union say the the Spike-Watch initiative involves students union staff and volunteer students forming a visible presence at bars to prevent spiking.
Volunteers on patrol will act as a point of contact for anyone worried they may have been spiked, or who feels unsafe.
Thomas Drury is the president of the Students Union.
"We feel it should be a priority of ours to ensure students can feel safe on a night out without having to worry about themselves or their friends being spiked. This campaign steps up our efforts in putting an end to this drink-spiking crisis," he said.
Individual students are playing their part, with Laois student Alex Kelly providing the SU with a simple device to help prevent spiking; a small circular card to place over an individual's drink.
Common symptoms of spiking include lowered inhibitions, difficulty concentrating or speaking, loss of balance, memory loss, blurred vision, hallucinations and/or unconsciousness.
Bars popular with students around Carlow town have reportedly pledged their support to end the crisis.