Consent. Scenario 24 of 34. Drinks and spiking

Make it a double

You are hosting a house party and making the drinks. Ffion asks for a lemonade. She says she is not drinking tonight.

Your mate Gareth, standing next to you, says quietly: "Stick a vodka in it. She won't taste it, and she needs to loosen up."

What is the best call?

Add the vodka. It is only one, and she will have a better night.

Not the best call

Ffion decided not to drink, and you would be overruling that in secret. Adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink without them knowing is spiking, and it can be a crime. You do not know her reasons: medication, driving, pregnancy, recovery.

Make the lemonade and tell Gareth, "No. She asked for lemonade."

Good call

Ffion gets exactly what she asked for, and Gareth hears that this is not a joke to you. As the host, you set what is normal in the room. A short, flat no does that without a scene.

Make the lemonade and say nothing to Gareth.

Could be better

Ffion's drink is safe, which is the main thing. But Gareth has just suggested spiking a guest and heard no objection. He may try it himself later, with her drink or someone else's.

Add a small splash, and tell her afterwards so it is not really a secret.

Not the best call

Telling her afterwards is not asking. By then it is already in her body and the choice has gone. A small amount is still a decision that was hers to make.

The principle

People decide what goes into their own bodies. Pour what they asked for, and never add anything to a drink that the person does not know about.

If this brings something up for you

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