by Keith Miller of thePublican.com's team of legal experts from London solicitors Joelson Wilson.
In recent years the increased use of so-called "date rape" drugs has become an ever increasing problem.
Police in Chelmsford recently conducted an undercover operation at a nightclub in which the residue of 200 drinks were tested for substances. One in 25 of the drinks tested contained traces of date rape drugs including GHB, also known as liquid ecstasy.
A leading spokesman on date rape has accused the trade of doing nothing to reduce the dangers. Many pub companies have rejected the claims, questioning the scale of the problem and the "scare tactics" being used to publicise the issue.
Recently, police forces around the country, in conjunction with local authorities, have started to ask licensees to display prominent signage warning customers of the risks of drinks being spiked with GHB and other drugs.
Here are some practical steps you can take to avoid drinks being spiked in your premises:
- Display prominent signage near to dancefloors and within toilets (where they are more likely to be read) reminding customers not to leave drinks unattended
- Employ a door supervisor to monitor drinks left on drinks shelves and tables and to ask anyone acting suspiciously around unattended drinks to leave your premises
- Enforce a door search policy and report any drugs found and the individual concerned to the police
- Install CCTV (or additional cameras) so that you can identify offenders. Assist the police by keeping relevant tapes for use in legal proceedings
- Ensure that all staff and door supervisors are aware of the dangers of drinks being spiked and offer assistance to any customer acting in a dizzy or disoriented manner
- If you suspect that someone has been drugged at your premises inform the police immediately.
- GHB became a class C drug on June 30, 2003. Dealers of GHB could face a maximum jail term of five years, with a maximum jail term of two years for persons found in possession of the drug.
Related articles:
Trade 'burying head in the sand' over drug rape danger (13 November 2003)