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A 16-year-old boy was suspended for two days after he spiked a 15-year-old boy’s drink with the drug Viagra during their school trip to Berlin, Germany.
During a trip made for the students to learn about Holocaust and the Cold War, the 16-year-old made public via multimedia messaging app Snapchat the prank he pulled on the victim, as reported by The Comet on Friday, Oct. 12. The two boys’ school, Etonbury Academy in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, gave the perpetrator two days suspension as punishment for his actions.
The victim’s father, however, believes the punishment given to the perpetrator was not enough.
“Two days’ suspension for putting a child’s life in danger is appalling,” he said in the report.
He pointed out that the prank could have gone wrong had his son had a medical condition that may warrant an adverse reaction from the drug.
“Spiking somebody’s drink is appalling,” he added. “He doesn’t know my son’s medical history. He could have heart problems.”
Sildenafil, sold as the brand name Viagra, is a medication primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction. Men who are being treated for heart conditions such as angina (chest pain), which uses medicines with nitrates are prohibited from taking the drug, as it may lead to a severe drop in the blood pressure.
The victim’s father also revealed that students of another school have heard the incident and were making fun of the frightened and embarrassed boy.
“My son was frightened and now he’s very embarrassed,” he was quoted as saying. “Children at another school have even heard about it and have been laughing at him. We are worried about him.”
Meanwhile, the interim principal of the school, Alan Lee, maintained appropriate sanction had been given to the perpetrator.
“Etonbury is aware of an incident arising from the recent school visit to Berlin and has undertaken an investigation into the incident,” Lee said in the report. “This has resulted in the relevant policies and procedures being applied and the individuals concerned have had appropriate sanctions applied to them.”
“The welfare of every child is of paramount importance with the school and is at the center of the decision-making process,” he added.
Drink spiking is illegal in the United Kingdom, whether or not an attack or assault has taken place. A maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment is given to anyone found guilty of doing so. The sentence will be higher if an assault, rape or robbery has been committed along with it. Kate Matriano/JB
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