Police will increase their patrols at licensed venues in Bendigo following a number of possible drink-spiking incidents.
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A Victoria Police spokesperson said police believed up to 10 people had their drinks spiked in the city in recent weeks.
"Bendigo police are investigating a number of possible drink-spiking incidents in the Bendigo area over the last three weeks," the spokesperson said.
"It's understood up to 10 people have reportedly had their drinks spiked since the beginning of February.
"Members from the Bendigo police will be increasing their patrols at licensed venues over the coming weeks."
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Police are continuing to investigate and urged anyone visiting licensed venues to take care with their drinks.
"Police are urging patrons to be vigilant with their drinks while visiting licensed venues," the spokesperson said.
"Anyone who believes they may be a victim of drink spiking is urged to contact Bendigo Police Station."
Australian Hotels Association Victoria executive board member Ray Sharawara said the AHA had discussed the issue with its members at both a council and executive board level.
"We had a meeting at council level yesterday with our 46 elected representatives and these issues have been discussed," Mr Sharawara said.
"I can only speak for our members but obviously we are completely against that kind of behaviour. It is illegal and we don't condone it.
"We have issued directives to AHA members on what procedures to follow and be aware of.
"We're aware of this issue and the problems associated with hospitality venues and strive all the time to make the situation the best we can and report any incidents immediately if they occur."
Mr Sharawara, who is also the Hotel Shamrock Bendigo licensee, said his staff were told to watch for suspicious behaviour.
He said he was unaware of any drink-spiking cases linked to the Hotel Shamrock.
"In our hotel we are on the look out for suspicious behaviour," he said. "Our staff are instructed to immediately report anything they see that is suspicious. That's our attitude.
"It's no different to drugtaking. If we see people taking illicit drugs for any reason, we act immediately. It can be difficult to detect but people are more aware nowadays.
"We would ask patrons not to leave drinks unattended. In a way it is common sense, especially in situations where people move around or move from one group to another frequently."
Bendigo Community Health Services mobile drug and safety worker Paul Morgan said BCHS was aware of a number of cases where drink spiking appeared to have occurred in the region.
"We're not sure where the spiking is coming from but there has been quite a number. We understand police is on top of that information," he said.
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Mr Morgan said people should always keep a sharp eye on their drink.
"It's critical to keep an eye on your drink at all times," he said. "Buy it yourself and have someone with you if you can, so they can keep an eye on it if you have to go to the other end of the bar to pay.
"If you can, get it in a bottle and keep your finger on top of the bottle, so nobody can slip something in.
"The critical thing is individuals have to be responsible for their own safety. In any bar there is always a risk."
Mr Morgan said symptoms of a drink being spiked included seizures, falling down or collapsing, unconsciousness and being unresponsive.
"The way it goes is you feel a bit weird, then can develop into seizures, blackouts or disorientation," he said. "It means [someone] could take huge advantage of you. Once you go into blackouts, you have no recollection of what has happened."
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