Bristol Twp. Bar Owner Joins Officials In Push To Prevent Drink Spiking

The owner of a Bristol Township Irish pub, Tom Tyler, is backing a new, comprehensive public awareness campaign launched by Pennsylvania officials to combat drink spiking.

Tyler, the president of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association and owner of McStew’s Irish Pub, joined state representatives, liquor control officials, and law enforcement to announce the program, which will distribute educational posters and resources to bars, restaurants, and licensed establishments across the state.

“Although bartenders and servers are trained, there’s only so much they can do,” Tyler said. “I’ve often seen patrons come in, step away from their drinks, generally to use the bathroom. This makes them vulnerable to drink spiking.”

The campaign was spearheaded by State Rep. Dan Deasy, a Democrat from Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chairman Darrell Clarke.

Officials said drink spiking is a crime that often goes unreported.

Clarke cited statistics indicating that more than 50 percent of people may have had their food or drink spiked at some point in their lives, with the rate exceeding 40% among men.

“This is not a movie. This is not TV. This is real. This is a crime,” Clarke said.

The central component of the campaign is a poster featuring the tagline “Never Leave Your Drink On Its Own.”

The posters offer tips to prevent drinks from being spiked, signs that tampering may have occurred, and common physical symptoms.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will begin distributing the materials as “aggressively as we can” to its 19,000 licensees statewide, officials said.

Tyler said the campaign benefits both business owners and the community by teaching people how to protect themselves and others. The message isn’t just for bars, but if people are at house parties or coffee shops.

Major Robert L. Bailey, the director of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for the Pennsylvania State Police, described drink spiking as adding alcohol or drugs to a person’s beverage without their knowledge.

The goal of drink spiking is often to incapacitate or exploit a person, Bailey said.

The state police official advised patrons to always keep drinks in sight, accept beverages only from trusted friends, family members or directly from bartenders and servers, and never leave drinks unattended.

“If something doesn’t feel right, follow your gut, follow your instinct. Seek help immediately,” Bailey recommended.

Officials timed the campaign launch to coincide with the return of college students to campuses.

Deasy also announced plans to introduce legislation commissioning a study on drink spiking trends and data to guide additional legislation based on the study’s findings.

“Our message today is very simple. Awareness saves lives. Responsibility protects the community,” Bailey said.

Officials said if someone believes there drink has been spiked, they can call 9-1-1 to file a report and seek medical attention.

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