Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Public Health

Director of Thesis

Mohammed Quasem

First Reader

Sara Goldsby

Abstract

Drink-spiking has become a well-known phenomenon since the turn of the century, especially on college campuses in the United States. Drink-spiking or drugging can be defined as “adding alcohol or drugs into someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission” (Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 2006). Drink-spiking is not just relevant to the concern of an illicit substance being placed into an alcoholic drink, but adding additional alcohol to drinks or adding alcohol or drugs to non-alcoholic drinks is considered drugging as well. This study collected data through a survey sent to 250 current students at the University of South Carolina regarding the prevalence of drink-spiking on and around campus and perceived feelings of safety when using drink-spiking prevention devices. 22.0% of all respondents (n = 50) indicated they had been victims of drink-spiking while enrolled as a student at the University of South Carolina. Current use of drink-spiking prevention devices amongst participants was low, but 90.0% of participants had previous knowledge of drink-spiking prevention devices. Data reveled that 66.0% of participants would use disposable drink-spiking prevention devices if they were provided by the university. Open-ended comments regarding the use of drink-spiking prevention devices revealed the need for them within bars and restaurants in the Five Points district of Columbia, SC.

First Page

1

Last Page

29

Rights

© 2023, C. Gray Forsberg

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