May 26, 2016 10:41 AM EDT By Vinay Patel, UniversityHerald Reporter

Drink spiking is often considered just a myth - an urban legend invented by people who probably drank too much, but is that really the case?

Contrary to the aforementioned notion, drink spiking is actually a growing problem, particularly common among college students in the United States, a study has divulged.

This is not at all surprising, especially considering that researchers felt the need to invent a device with an ability to detect whether a beverage has been laced with drugs. This is enough to affirm that drink spiking is actually a common scene during social gatherings such as parties.

In a bid to examine the intensity of drink spiking, a research team at the University of South Carolina spearheaded by Suzanne Swan analysed the data collected by a survey of 6,064 students, all from different universities, TechTimes reported.

On analyzing the data, it was found that approximately 7.8 percent of students disclosed 539 occasions where someone laced their drinks with drugs, and around 1.4 percent confessed they have either drugged someone, or know someone who drugged another person.

The research further divulged that women are generally the victim of drink spiking. It was found that women reported more incidents, especially when the intent is rape. However, many of these victims do not report as most of the times, they are not sure what really happened or what they consumed before the assault.

After realizing about one-third of her class had fallen victim to drink spiking, Swan, who teaches women's studies and psychology was motivated to conduct this research.

The study also revealed that men are not sparred of drink spiking either. However, it is under an appearance that men intend to have fun or just chill out, nevertheless, that could be equally dangerous. Drugging someone just for fun without any motive to take advantage still involves putting a drug in a person's body without his or her approval, Swan told the Daily Mail.

The claims of students surveyed could not validates, however the findings of the research is enough to confirm that drink spiking is not just an urban legend, but is actually happening.

The incidents are more common in universities where students engage in dangerous behaviors without considering the considering the outcome of their actions.

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