The West Virginia University Police Department issued a Community Notice on Friday (Sept. 12) after several recent reports from students about drinks potentially being tampered with at off-campus locations.
On at least two occasions, those affected sought medical attention.
People who suspect their drinks have been tampered with should notify someone — a friend, employee or law enforcement officer — immediately, seek medical help and, if possible, save the drink, report the incident to police and provide its contents.
Here are additional safety tips.
• Never put down your drink. Keep your drink in your hand, even when you go to the bathroom.
• If your drink is out of your sight, even for seconds, get a new one.
• Don’t accept a drink from anyone — unless you can watch it being poured.
• Don’t share drinks.
• Don’t drink from punch bowls or open containers.
• Don’t drink anything that tastes even a little strange, such as salty or bitter.
• Monitor for visible changes to a drink, whether that be a color change or a clear drink that becomes cloudy.
• Stick with your friends and watch out for them. Have them do the same for you.
• Drink responsibly and keep track of the number of drinks being consumed.
• Under the University’s Student Code of Conduct and the laws of West Virginia, bystanders and those affected by drug or alcohol overdose may not be held responsible for a code violation under medical amnesty if they seek medical assistance in an emergency and certain conditions are met. Specifically, if you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose:
• Call 911 immediately to report what’s happening.
• Identify yourself if requested by any medical personnel, University officials or law-enforcement officers.
• Remain where you are with the individual if it is safe.
• Cooperate with medical personnel, University officials or law enforcement officers and provide any information they request in order to help the person in distress.
• Download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for discreet, two-way communication with University Police.
Find more information from WELLWVU.
Additional Resources:
• WVU Police Department — 911, 304-293-2677, 304-293-3136
• WVU CARE Team
• WVU Carruth Center — 304-293-4431
• WVU Office of Compliance and Prevention Education — 304-293-5600
• WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities — 304-293-8111
• WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program — 304-293-5590
• Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center — 304-292-5100
• WVU Office of Campus and Community Life — 304-293-5611
• WVU Student Health — 304-285-7200
• WVU Division of Student Life — 304-293-5811
Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and police.wvu.edu.
Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page, @WVUsafety on X and @wvusafetyofficial on Instagram, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.
A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
-WVU-
mm/9/12/25
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.