A POTENTIALLY-fatal date rape drug is feared to be behind one nightclubber's memory black-out.The Star has also heard about two other suspected cases of drinks being spiked, which were not reported to police.

A POTENTIALLY-fatal date rape drug is feared to be behind one nightclubber's memory black-out.

The Star has also heard about two other suspected cases of drinks being spiked, which were not reported to police.

The 30-year-old woman, who wants to remain anonymous, believes her drink was spiked when she was out with friends at Brannigans nightclub at Cardinal Park on August 30.

She suspects a powder date-rape drug such as Ketamine was secretly dropped into her glass. She cannot understand how else she was left with a memory void from midnight to 3am on Saturday , after which she became really sick.

She said: "I have a complete memory loss during that time. I contacted the police at 6am, who said I'd probably had too much to drink."

But she insisted: "I know I only had three alcoholic drinks and one coke, which is the one I believe was spiked.

"My friends and partner told me that I had a complete personality change, and became very irritable and angry for no reason. I am also concerned that I can't remember how I got home, or with who."

She added: I feel really strongly that people should be aware that this is going on, so they can be safe. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Not being able to remember is almost as bad as being drugged in the first place. It has put me off going out for a very long time."

She claims to have reported it to Brannigans but a spokesman was unaware of the report.

Another woman in an Ipswich bar, claimed her drink was spiked on a Friday night, but is not believed to have reported it to police.

Then another anonymous reader told the Star: "Soft drinks are being spiked in our local nightclubs. On Friday there were three known incidents of coca cola being spiked with a narcotic-based powder. One woman was out celebrating her hen night when she vomited at 10.30pm and became uncooperative."

Inspector Tristan Pepper of Ipswich Police said: "We are aware of the problem of drinks being spiked only anecdotally, and we have had nothing specific to investigate. However, we will investigate any allegation.

"On a national basis, there clearly is a concern that drugs are being used for date rape."

He urged people to use their common sense to avoid becoming a victim, and added: "In the first instance, people need to be more responsible for their own actions and property - including their drinks, or there is the likelihood of this sort of incident taking place.

"People seems to judge the quality of a good night out by the amount of drinks they have had, rather than just having a good time. If they leave their drink unattended, there is the chance for someone to slip a drug into it."

He said local nightclubs have taken part in the Spike scheme, placing a cap on drinks they serve, to raise awareness of the need to watch nobody tampers with them.

Ketamine is a liquid anaesthetic used by vets as a tranquilliser for horses and other large animals. It is known on the street as K, Special K and Vitamin K, and is one of a group of drugs criminals use to spike drinks.

It is a painkiller and can cause psychedelic experiences and an inability to move.

In powder and tablet form it is illegal.

Mixing it with alcohol can be fatal.

Advice for clubbers from www.nightsafe.co.uk

Stay in control and know your limits.

Don't mix drinks, and don't binge.

Always keep an eye on your drink.

Don't accept a drink from just anyone.

Friends look out for each other, will stop you if you're overdoing it, and don't abandon you at the end of the night.

Never leave alone or with a stranger.

Act confident and alert when out and about.

Plan how you will get home at the end of an evening. Let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.

Never say never - it could happen to you. Don't ignore your instincts.