Under State Government legislation to be introduced later this year, people only need to be caught attempting to spike another person's drink, or having the intent to do so.

Ballarat Police youth resource officer Des Hudson said there were already initiatives in place through the SSMART ASSK program to educate young people about the dangers of drugs, spiked drinks and drinking excessively.

The new laws would only strengthen what is already being done to educate young people, he said.

"It certainly is a dangerous practice and young people should be able to go out and enjoy themselves without the threat of their safety being compromised," Mr Hudson said.

"Alcohol is often the most likely form of spiking. The legislation will be complementing many of the messages that we are currently educating our young people about across Ballarat through the SSMART ASSK program.

"It is easy for a person to buy another person a drink and include a double or triple shot or even to use another type of alcohol that's not likely to have a smell."

In announcing the new legislation Attorney-General Rob Hulls said there was a problem of drink spiking among young people in the community.

"In research carried out by Melbourne's RMIT University last year, where 800 people aged between 18 and 35 were surveyed online, about one quarter of participants reported having their drink spiked," he said.

"These new laws are aimed particularly at protecting young women and young men."