Starting from July 2024, California law stipulates clubs and bars must stock “roofie” testing kits to tackle spiking after the bill was introduced in April 2023. The testing kits were designed for club-goers to test for drugs such as ketamine and GHB to combat the ongoing crisis that is resulting in sexual assaults with female and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. The new regulation aims to protect clubgoers and keep California’s venues safe, and each kit comes stocked with a strip, sticker or straw that picks up signs of typical “date-rape” drugs. The new law will ensure venues across the state meet new safety rules to tackle drug spiking, amid growing efforts to address the crisis.
Assembly member Josh Lowenthal authored the bill to prevent drink spiking with roofies, and the legislation was fiercely supported by both parties, receiving an 18-0 vote, inching closer to becoming a proper law. Lowenthal stated that “We have a crisis taking place that is resulting in sexual assault, that’s targeting primarily women and members of the LGBTQ+ communities.” Lowenthal also said roofies had affected him too, and he has heard of several of his staff and legislative members have also fallen victims to such incidents.
Although the law may force venues to meet new safety standards, it may come at a cost to business owners as they will need to purchase the testing kits and offer them at a “reasonable” price or for free, which won’t extort the user. Test kits will cost money to buy, but they are also expected to increase guests’ confidence in the safety of California’s party scene.
The UK said they were modernizing the laws to make it clear that spiking should be considered a criminal offence. However, many disagreed with the decision, and the Night Time Industries Association’s CEO, Michael Kill, expressed deep disappointment that the new measures fell short of making spiking a specific offence. Drink spiking is a prevalent and serious problem that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of individuals within our community, he said
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