PCP Drugging Incident: How to Recognise It and What to Do Right Away
PCP (phencyclidine) is a powerful dissociative drug that can be added to drinks or given without someone’s knowledge. If you suspect a PCP drugging, acting fast matters. This guide tells you what to watch for, how to keep the person safe, and how to preserve evidence for medical and legal help.
Spot the signs — what to look for
PCP effects often show up within minutes to a few hours. Key signs include sudden extreme confusion, blank staring, violent or unpredictable behaviour, slurred speech, poor coordination, and trouble breathing. People may seem detached from their body (dissociation), have jerky eye movements (nystagmus), high heart rate, high blood pressure, or feel numb and faint. If someone is collapsing, having seizures, or losing consciousness, treat it as an emergency.
Remember: not every drugged person looks the same. Alcohol, other drugs, or a health problem can cause similar symptoms. When the changes are sudden and out of character, treat it seriously.
Immediate steps — safety first
If you suspect PCP drugging, do these things right away:
- Call emergency services. Ask for an ambulance and explain you suspect a drugging.
- Stay with the person. Keep them sitting or lying on their side if vomiting is possible. Prevent them from hurting themselves or others.
- Protect the airway. If they’re unconscious, put them in the recovery position and check breathing.
- Keep them calm and warm. Remove dangerous objects and loud stimuli, which can worsen agitation or anxiety.
- Avoid giving food, drink, or medication unless medical staff say it’s safe.
If they become violent, protect yourself and call for trained help—security or police—rather than trying to restrain them yourself unless absolutely necessary for safety.
Quick medical care can prevent serious complications like heart problems, seizures, or long-term brain injury. Hospitals can monitor vitals, manage agitation, and run tests.
For evidence and reporting: preserve anything that might matter. Save the clothes, cup, bottle, or straw in a paper bag (not plastic). Write down the time, location, names of people nearby, and witness contacts. Ask medical staff to collect blood and urine samples as soon as possible—blood is best within hours, urine can show drugs for longer. If you plan to involve police, tell the medical team you want a forensic exam and chain-of-custody for samples.
Report the incident to local police and, if relevant, venue managers. If there’s a sexual assault or theft, report immediately and request a medical-legal exam. Seek support from local sexual assault or crisis services—they can guide you through medical, legal, and emotional steps.
Prevention tips: never leave drinks unattended, use the buddy system at parties, watch for sudden behaviour changes in friends, and avoid accepting drinks from strangers. If a night out turns risky, get out early and contact trusted people for help.
If this is happening now, call emergency services. If it already happened, get medical testing, preserve evidence, and report to police. Quick action helps both health and justice.
