Possible tampered drink investigation in Saint John prompts student warnings

WATCH ABOVE: A group representing New Brunswick students is urging young people to be aware after Saint John police released details of an investigation into drink tampering. Global’s Brion Robinson reports.

SAINT JOHN – The head of the New Brunswick Student Alliance says young people heading to school this year need to be aware of the risks associated with tampered drinks.

Lindsay Handren is the group’s executive director and represents student associations from three universities and four campuses.

“Some of them are coming to university for the first time and the first weeks of school come with some parties,” she said. “We’re just concerned that with these uncontrolled substances in the drinks some students might get caught in a bad spot.”

Her concern comes after Saint John Police released details of an investigation into two drinking incidents at private residences.

The police force says both cases involved alcohol and are unrelated. But they say people involved in both cases showed similar symptoms of long periods of sleep that lasted up to 15 hours.

Right now, they’re trying to determine if a substance was involved or if charges will be laid.

Although the investigation is ongoing, a nurse who deals with sexual assault cases at the Saint John Regional Hospital says the threat is real.

Hiadee Goldie says they deal with around 75 cases per year.

“We see an increase in our cases in October and November,” she said, noting people between the ages of 18 and 25 are most at risk.

Goldie says while tampered drinks is a big problem, binge drinking can also lead to sexual assaults.

“It can lead to decreased inhibitions, your judgement can be impaired and it can lead to loss of consciousness and it can lead to death,” she said.