Drink Spike Testing Kits In Bars 'A Must'

Drink spike testing kits should be available at bars and clubs across Northern Ireland, following a proposal by Alliance Councillor Micky Murray.

The South Belfast representative said his plans to make Belfast's "night time economy a safer place", would now go before the licensing committee next month – where he hoped the secure cross-party support for the scheme which will include training for local staff on administering the kits.

Micky added: "Our night-time economy is growing, and Belfast City Council have a responsibility to ensure that our city is a safe place to come and spend time.

"By providing drink spiking testing kits into premises, which are licensed by Belfast City Council to sell alcohol, we can help to reduce spiking incidents, as well as getting early medical interventions to victims of spiking related incidents, and could help reduce incidents of ASB and sexual assaults in our city.

"This scheme will not only defer those who are planning on spiking someone, but will also provide awareness to potential victims, and others, on how to access the testing kits and where to go to for support should they think that they or their friends have been spiked.

"This is an initiative that's been led by Queen's Students Union, who are providing drink testing kits in their Student Union bars when they open again in September."