California bars now required to provide drink spiking drug test kits

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new law going into effect Monday requires bars in California to provide drink spiking drug test kits.

“I was roofied when I was 17 years old and it was in the 80s. This has been going on a very long time and so it’s nice that they’re finally trying to do something, but I think that the approach is a bit much,” said Julie Kazmi, owner of The Silver Fox Lounge .

Bars in California with a Type 48 license are now required to provide the kits and post clear signage about their availability.

“So anything that’s like a bar, a nightclub. There’s about 2,500 of those in California and I believe about just under 200 in the San Diego County area,” said Devin Blankenship, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Public Information Officer.

But the language on the required signs is upsetting bar owners.

“I was pretty disturbed at the verbiage. It made me uncomfortable and I kind of felt like, do I want this hanging in my bar?” said Kazmi.

Some Type 48 license holders say while they think this law is a step in the right direction, they’re feeling singled out.

“It feels like an attempt to get rid of the 48 licenses, which are really rare because you can’t get them anymore,” said Kazmi.

Restaurants have a Type 47 license and are not being impacted by the new law.

“These kits have to test for either GHB, Ketamine or Rohypnol … I believe those are the three most popular when it comes to date rape drugs,” said Blankenship.

The law created by the state legislature is designed to prevent people from having their drinks spiked in bars and nightclubs, but it could be a while before the law is strictly enforced.

“We’re not going to penalize anyone on day one right away if they’re not having the kits, but we are checking to make sure that they do have them,” Blankenship added.

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