WVU Police issues Community Notice following possible drink tampering

The West Virginia University Police Departmentissued 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 JohnsonExecutive Director of Strategic CommunicationsWVU Strategic Communications and Marketing304-293-8302; [email protected] 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.