Actual incidents of drink tampering like the ones recently reported by Kamloops RCMP are rare, but that doesn’t mean the public shouldn’t be vigilant when out for a night on the town.

“I would say, in today’s society, that everybody should be aware,” said David “Pup” Johnston, owner of the Blue Grotto and co-owner of the Night Shift, two downtown drinking establishments.

Johnston has been in the nightclub industry for 40 years, and he’s heard stories about both men and women being “slipped a mickey” and taken advantage of sexually or robbed. However, such allegations are rare or hard to prove, he said.

Oftentimes the person’s state is either self-inflicted from consuming too many drinks or mixing drugs, or the outcome is inconclusive, said Johnston.

“I’ve got a bunch of doormen who would love to catch a guy — or girl — doing this,” said Johnston. “It’s a hard thing to catch and a hard thing to prove.”

If someone suspects they’ve been given a tampered drink, both of his establishments have means of testing drinks for tampering. The Grotto has 13 cameras recording goings on inside, the Night Shift has 20. Johnston said he and his staff are more than willing to review footage for a potential culprit and are co-operating with RCMP following these recent allegations.

Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Dana Napier cautioned people to never leave drinks unattended, to not accept drinks from strangers, to stay with trusted friends, and to look out for one another.

Mounties warned the public early last month that four people reported symptoms consistent with being drugged after consuming beverages at downtown bars. One of the victims met “an unknown man” shortly before she began experiencing reduced alertness.

The incidents occurred between June 24 and 28 and, as of press time, no further incidents had been reported.

News of the alleged drink tampering disgusted Howie Reimer, the executive director of the Kamloops Central Business Association. He said such behavior has sadly been going on for years and it puts those who are being targeted at risk.

He cautions patrons visiting downtown watering holes to take steps to protect themselves from becoming potential victims of the person, or persons, responsible. The best way to do that is to be mindful of who you accept a drink from.

“What is your level of trust?” asked Reimer. He added it’s unwise to accept a drink from someone you don’t know or just met.

Reimer hopes images of the perpetrators have been captured by surveillance cameras and this will lead to an arrest.

“I hope those responsible are quickly caught,” said Reimer.

Napier said RCMP have indeed obtained surveillance video and investigators are hard at work identifying a person of interest in the case, as well as trying to determine if there are any further victims.

Johnston takes such allegations seriously and always co-operates with police, he said. Every time incidents like this make the news, his industry takes a hit.

“When something like this comes up, it scares people off,” he said.

If someone suspects they’re suffering the effects of drink tampering they should take a drug test right away. Johnston said such tests can be found at most pharmacies. If those tests prove positive, the victim should make an immediate report to police so an investigation can begin. His surveillance cameras only keep footage for a limited time, and that footage can prove invaluable to investigators.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected by the recent incidents, or has information about them, is asked to phone Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file number 2025-21075