Belfast pubs and other licensed premises should see drink spike testing kits introduced onto their premises by next year, after a council motion was passed at City Hall.
At Belfast City Council ’s Licensing Committee this week, elected representatives unanimously agreed to an Alliance motion by Councillor Micky Murray.
It states: “This council, in a bid to make our night-time economy a safer place, will work with licensed premises to introduce drink spike testing kits into their premises. This will include training for staff on how to administer the kits, what to do in the event of a positive result, and promotional material promoting how customers can access the kits.”
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Once the motion is ratified at the full council next month a paper on how the project will be rolled out will be brought before committee. When this is passed, licensed premises across Belfast will be able to hold spike testing kits on their premises.
Councillor Murray said: “With the further expansion of the city’s night-time economy, Belfast City Council has a responsibility to ensure that our city is a safe place for people to visit and enjoy themselves.
“With the introduction of this scheme we have a crucial opportunity to help reduce spiking incidents and work towards reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour and sexual assaults - which remain unfortunate scourges on the city’s nightlife industry - as well as getting early medical interventions to victims of spiking related incidents.
“With this scheme, we aim to not only deter those who are planning on spiking someone, but also provide information to potential victims and others on how to get the testing kits and where to access support should they think that they or their friends have been spiked.”
When asked who would foot the bill of the scheme by Sinn Féin Councillor JJ Magee, Councillor Murray said: “We are engaging with drink companies, Hospitality Ulster and the police to try and finance the scheme.
“It is not very expensive - it is basically two strips you drop into a drink, and it comes up as positive or negative. The training mentioned in the motion is basically one page - it is not going to cost anything. But we are looking to fund it externally.”
In November 2021, police stated 120 incidents of drinks being spiked were reported in Northern Ireland over a ten month period - even before the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Queen's University last year introduced the drink spiking testing kits in its students' union bar and trained staff. Anyone suspecting a drink has been altered can receive the test, and if positive, the police will be contacted.
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