Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah has pledged her support to a campaign group calling for more measures to tackle spiking in the city.
The Labour MP has spoken with members of the student-led initiative Big Night In which wants to see bars and clubs implement safety measures to protect drinkers.
The Newcastle group held a boycott of the city's nightspots on Thursday, October 28 which asked people to stay at home in an effort to highlight the issue of spiking.
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The action follows a number of reports of potential spiking incidents in Newcastle and across the UK.
Campaigners want to see welfare officers and protocols available in clubs and bars to ensure drinkers who have been potentially spiked are cared for.
Since the boycott action, Big Night In organisers have reached out to Newcastle's councillors and MPs to discuss how they can help implement measures.
MP Chi Onwurah was quick to offer her backing of the initiative.
"The group has been in contact and I have responded to say I support their campaign and would like to meet with them," she said.
"Everyone should be able to go for a night out without worrying about being spiked."
Newcastle's university student unions and Women's Street Watch Newcastle also backed the campaign, which has seen students from across the county hold their own boycott events.
Meanwhile, some city bars including The Market Shaker and The Dog and Parrot have already rolled out measures including increased security to tackle spiking.
Northumbria Police has confirmed that while it has seen an increase in the reports of potential drink-spiking, this is not reflected in figures showing a rise in offences taking place.
The founder of the Big Night In Newcastle group, who did not wish to be named, welcomed the "brilliant" support of the city MP.
"Chi Onwurah was one of the MPs who responded to our emails," she said.
"We are really excited to be having these conversations to look at the possibility of getting some measures to reduce spiking.
"We have been having conversations with councilors - which has been really exciting - looking at altering licensing for Newcastle, which could have a big impact if part of it was to have training, welfare officers anti-spiking devices and signposting [to help reporting]."
