Investigators Say Drink Drugging Is Common Yet Under Reported Problem

The state of Ohio is working with campus area bars to raise awareness of what they say is a secretly growing problem.

bar patrons being drugged -- and either not realizing it - or not reporting it.

Just a few weeks ago, a man was found guilty for slipping LSD into a woman's drink at a nearby concert venue.

From this, investigators dug deeper... Only to find an astoundingly low number of cases reported.

And with bar scene once-again going strong around campus, authorities want to educate before it's too late.

SueAnn Cook, an investigator with the Columbus division of the Ohio Investigative Unit said it's a horrible thing that you have to be so concerned about these things, but people need to take responsibility for themselves and to think about taking care of themselves and each other.

Cook said that drugging drinks is all too common, but also commonly under reported.

And investigators say the drugs are odorless and tasteless, which is why people never know they're drinking them.

Cook said a lot of victims don't feel comfortable reporting because it's embarrassing.

Allison Whitaker is a returning student at Ohio State.. gearing up for the school year.

She says she tries to pay attention all the time to her drinks.

She know bars can be fun, but realize there are steps to staying safe, like never leaving a drink and coming back to it.

And, that's exactly what SueAnn Cook says people should do, when going out: watch out for each other before it's too late.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety will be holding a meeting with the folks who work at busy campus-area bars on Monday, to help this process of education and awareness.