One student, 'Charlotte', has spoken of the effects of being drugged while on a night out in Northampton.

She has urged others to be aware of symptoms.

Watch a video from BBC Look East on the date rape drug in Northampton (Realplayer)

"On the inside, I felt sober, I felt fine, it’s like I knew what was going on but I just couldn’t open my eyes. I just couldn’t move any of my limbs or body."

She continued, "I was trying to explain to everybody that I wasn’t drunk that this wasn’t alcohol, this was something else that was going on."

Fortunately, she wasn’t raped and her friends were there to assist her home.

Whilst the risk of having your drink spiked is low, a national advertising campaign is advising to take precautions.

Inspector Mark Lacey from Corby said: “It is sensible for people to be vigilant and to keep an eye on their drink at all times - it only takes a second for an opportunist to drop something into your glass or bottle without you knowing – and the consequences could be potentially serious.”

Precautionary advice · Don’t leave your drink unsupervised, in particular with a stranger · Don’t accept a drink from someone you do not know · If you feel unwell tell a friend and ask them to take you home · Inform a member of staff if you are concerned about any suspicious activity

Effects

Drinks are commonly spiked with Gammahydroxybutrate, commonly known as GHB or liquid ecstasy, or Rohypnol, known as Roofies.

Both drugs are colourless, odourless and have no taste, making detection very difficult. Effects from a drink being spiked can occur within 20-30 minutes of consumption.

GHB is used by clubbers, as taken in small doses it can act as an ‘upper’, giving a euphoric feeling.

But taking large amounts of either drug or mixing them with alcohol can cause sedation, muscle spasms, stomach cramps and possibly comas or death.

The law

Recent law changes in June this year have affected the possesion and prosocution of these drugs in Britain.

While GHB and Rohypnol are available on prescription, supply or possession in other circumstances is illigal and if caught, carries Class C drugs catagory penalties.

This means someone in possession can face a two-years jail sentence and dealers up to five years.

High profile cases

Watch an inteview with Myleene from BBC Look East (Realplayer)

Recently, former Hear’Say star, Myleene Klass spoke about the dangers of date rape drugs after she was drugged in a club.

Also, in a recent American court case, Max Factor heir Andrew Luster was convicted of rape and jailed for 124 years in California after being convicted of using GHB in rapes.

Luster, 39, the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor, took three women to his home between 1996 and 2000 and raped them after giving them the drug.

In Weekender