Underage drinking cause of Hamilton girls' hospitalisation- not date rape drug

Hamilton Police investigating the hospitalisation of three teenage girls following a dance party at a Te Rapa warehouse on Saturday night say claims their drinks were spiked with a date rape drug are not true.

City Community Engagement Manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam, said the girl's condition was not as had been reported- the result of drink spiking with a 'date rape' drug, more that it was to do with the large amount of alcohol consumed by the 16-17-year-old girls.

"The three girls all returned results showing they were two and a half to three times the legal adult alcohol limit which raises the issue of teenagers being provided alcohol by parents or others and front-loading prior to attending the alcohol free event.

"At the time Police had told the principal of the school that one of the girls attends that they were not ruling out drink spiking as a cause for their condition however we never rang to confirm this was the case. We were advised by hospital staff their condition was solely as a result of excessive drinking."

Mr Lynam said the event organiser had done the right thing in terms of creating a safe environment to hold such an event and Police hoped their forward planning and precautions would be followed by other event managers.

"The organiser met with Police some time prior to the event and sought advice which was taken on board to the extent that they had adequate security and even two ambulances on site to address any safety issues.

"Police made periodic visits to the venue and though there were some issues identified outside the venue these were out of the organiser's area of control.

"Reports Police closed the event down are incorrect, the event was scheduled to close at 3.00 am and did so without incident."