BRITAIN is in the grip of a drink spiking epidemic that is threatening the health and safety of women and men according to the only UK organisation that deals with the problem.

The Roofie Foundation says incidences of drink spiking have sky rocketed a shocking 40 per cent in the past 12 months.

But this may just be the tip of the iceberg since many incidents still go unreported.

Graham Rhodes, from The Roofie Foundation said: "Five years ago we wouldn't get any calls about drink spiking and now we get calls on a daily basis.

"A lot of people don't think it is going to happen to them but the reality is it is on the rise and everyone is a potential victim."

And it is not just women having their drinks spiked, increasingly men are becoming a target.

Rhodes added: "A criminal element has discovered it is easier to drink spike than to mug a bloke so it gives a thief motive."

Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB), Rohypnol and Valium are the most common drugs used by drink spikers but left over household prescription medications are increasingly being used.

Motives for drink spiking include date rape, robbery and people playing a sick joke.

Victims suffer a wide range of side effects such as vomiting, loss of consciousness, poor co-ordination and balance, slurred speech, muscle spasms and breathing difficulties.

The Roofie Foundation believes not enough is being done to combat the problem.

Rhodes said: "There appears to be no Government agency or police taskforce that victims can go to for help and advice.

"Is it going to take a death from drink spiking before the Home Office, the police and the Department of Health sit down and work out a strategy on how to treat people correctly and not treat them as drunks?"

lachlan.cartwright@the-sun.co.uk