For anyone traveling or studying abroad who potentially hasn't encountered the threat before, being aware that needle-spiking is a very real possibility is the most important thing, according to Mackie.
He added that tourists have been targets of spiking because they're often carrying passports, cash or other valuables. And the holiday season poses a high risk, he said, as people attend frequent parties and travel increases.
But it's not about living in fear, Mackie said. Know the symptoms of spiking: dizziness, confusion or loss of consciousness and unusual behavior such as lack of self-control.
Travel safety tips
► Make a plan: It's important to make a plan of action before a night out in case an attack happens, including never putting your drink down (make sure you can see your drinks being poured and transported to you), using the buddy system (especially in unfamiliar venues), saving international emergency numbers, and looking up local hospitals just in case.
