Travel Alert: Rising Drink Spiking Cases in Bali – What Aussies Need to Know
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With winter setting in across Australia, many travellers are heading to Bali in search of warmer weather. Alongside the usual travel planning, it is important to understand the risks associated with drink spiking and methanol poisoning.
Australian Government travel advice warns that drinks in Indonesia may be spiked or contain dangerous substances such as methanol. Cases of methanol poisoning have occurred in Bali and Lombok.
If you are planning a trip to Bali, a few simple precautions can help you stay more aware while enjoying the island’s nightlife.
Drink spiking and methanol risks in Bali
Bali’s bars, clubs and beach venues attract travellers from around the world. However, incidents involving spiked drinks and unsafe alcohol can occur, particularly in busy nightlife areas.
- Methanol poisoning can occur when counterfeit or poorly produced alcohol contains toxic methanol. It can cause serious illness, permanent disability or death.
- Drink spiking involves adding alcohol or another substance to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. It can happen in bars, clubs, parties and other social settings.
Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are different risks, so they require different precautions.
How to reduce the risk while visiting Bali
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Use a drink cover
A drink cover can provide a physical barrier over your glass and help deter someone from tampering with it.
A NightCap® drink cover is stored discreetly inside a scrunchie or keychain and stretches over many common cups and glasses. It is lightweight, reusable and easy to carry while travelling.
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Consider testing a suspicious drink
CYD® drink-spiking test strips are portable tests designed to detect certain substances associated with drink spiking. If you become concerned about a drink, follow the supplied instructions carefully.
These test strips do not detect every possible substance and cannot tell you whether a drink contains methanol. If a drink looks, tastes or smells unusual, do not consume it, regardless of the test result.
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Choose sealed, branded drinks
Where possible, choose sealed bottles or cans from reputable venues and watch staff open them. Be cautious with homemade alcohol, unlabelled spirits and drinks prepared out of sight.
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Keep your drink with you
Do not leave food or drinks unattended. Avoid sharing drinks and do not accept an open drink from someone you do not know or trust.
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Stay with people you trust
Look out for one another and make sure everyone in your group has a safe way home. If a friend suddenly appears unusually confused, unsteady or unwell, stay with them and seek help.
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Know when to get medical help
Possible warning signs can include sudden dizziness, confusion, vomiting, blurred vision, difficulty walking, unusual drowsiness or memory loss.
If you or someone you are travelling with becomes unexpectedly unwell, move to a safe place and seek urgent medical assistance. Do not assume that the symptoms are simply the result of drinking too much alcohol.
Can drink-spiking test strips detect methanol?
No. Methanol is a toxic alcohol associated with contaminated or poorly produced alcoholic drinks. It is different from the substances that consumer drink-spiking test strips are designed to detect.
The safest approach is to choose sealed, branded drinks from reputable businesses and avoid homemade or unlabelled alcohol. If you suspect methanol poisoning, seek urgent medical attention.
Pack practical drink-safety products
Travelling should feel exciting, but it is still worth being prepared. Portable drink covers and drink-spiking test strips can add another layer of awareness when you are visiting bars, clubs, festivals and other busy venues.
Travelling soon?
Explore compact drink-safety products that are easy to carry in your handbag, pocket or luggage.
More drink-safety information
- Best drink covers and anti-spiking devices for nights out
- Practical ways to help prevent drink spiking
- Frequently asked questions about Safer Sips products
Before travelling, check the latest Australian Government travel advice for Indonesia .
Drink-safety products can add another layer of protection and awareness, but no product can prevent every incident or detect every possible substance.