07252025 MINUTES APPROVED DRINK SPIKING EDUCATION AND PREVENTION.PDF
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Minutes of the Drink Spiking Education & Prevention Subcommittee meeting held on Jul. 25, 2025, 12:04 p.m., Virtual Meeting through Microsoft Teams. Members Present: Councilmember Randy Keating – Chair Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid – Member Councilmember Berdetta Hodge – Member City Staff Present: Rosa Inchausti- City Manager Greg Ruiz- Chief Deputy City Manager Keith Burke – Deputy City Manager Lisette Camacho – Deputy City Manager Keaton Hill- Council Assistant Ty Lee – Council Assistant Parrish Spisz – Council Assistant Vanessa Lopez – Council Assistant Mariana Pena – Mayor’s Assistant Tanya Chavez – Mayor and Council Relations Director Kris Baxter – Communications and Marketing Director Kurt Buczkowski – Tempe Police Department - Sergeant Tim Burch – Community Health and Human Services Director Linda Cano – Special Events Manager Dr. Velicia McMillan Humes – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Jacob Payne – Principal Planner Anastasia Stinchfield – Social Services Supervisor Shawn Wanger - Deputy Community Services Director – Recreation Shauna Warner – Neighborhood Services Director Dr. Jacqueline Webster – Deputy Community Health and Human Services Director Stakeholders: Danya Sherman – KnoMore Kenize Berger – Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Tiffany Lam Mendoza – Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Lori Foster – Tempe Downtown Authority Tim Gomez – ASU Bernadette Coggins – Tempe Coalition Carri Eutizi – Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Minutes Drink Spiking Education & Prevention Subcommittee Jul. 25, 2025 Nancy Hanley-Wroble – Tempe Coalition Program Coordinator Kassandra Beavers – Tempe Chamber of Commerce Penda Elizabeth Lare Sisay – ASU Rise Leadership Institute Lead Ambassador Albert Plantillas – Arizona Student Association Agenda Item 1 – Public Appearances No public appearances. Councilmember Keating introduces the subcommittee, introduces himself as chair, and introduces Vice Mayor Garlid and Councilmember Hodge as members. All participants introduced themselves. Agenda Item 2 – Overview on the issue of Drink Spiking – Danya Sherman, KnoMore Danya Sherman is the founder of KnoMore, a nonprofit focused on combating drink spiking. She explained that drink spiking occurs when someone adds drugs to another person’s drink, typically to exploit the victim, most often for sexual or financial reasons. While many people associate the term with "roofies," a range of substances can be involved, including benzodiazepines, Xanax, ketamine, and GHB. Danya shared that one in 13 college-aged individuals suspect they have been drugged without their knowledge. An estimated 90% of cases go unreported, largely due to memory loss, which is one of the common side effects. There is a strong link between drink spiking and nightlife settings. Across the country and globally, coalitions between law enforcement, bar owners, and local governments have successfully implemented awareness campaigns to address the issue. Social media has played a role in raising visibility, with many victims sharing their experiences on platforms like TikTok and Twitter. Danya thanked the subcommittee for the opportunity to speak and expressed enthusiasm for helping to build a local coalition in Tempe. Agenda Item 3 – Presentation on potential ordinance provisions Keaton Hill, Assistant to Councilmember Keating, presented on Tempe’s liquor license process, relevant city departments, drink spiking prevention policies from other governments, and potential benefits and next steps. Liquor license applicants must first be approved by the Arizona Department of Liquor License Control, then reviewed by Tempe PD, undergo public input, and receive Tax and License recommendations before Council action. The full process takes 60–105 days. Bar and nightclub license fees can reach $1,900 initially and $1,200 annually. The subcommittee will focus on Bar, Beer and Wine, and Domestic Microbrewery classifications due to their high annual fees. The Planning Division oversees building fees ($8,000–$16,000) and use permit fees (up to $1,885). Special Events handles security plans, approved by Tempe PD, and monitors major festivals like Oktoberfest, Innings, and Rise Up. Tempe Police Department conducts mandatory safe bar training for bars and nightclubs, though it currently lacks content on drink spiking prevention. Hospitals occasionally test for spiking- related substances but don’t coordinate with the Police. Sergeant Kurt Buczkowski stated that bar test kits “would be awesome” and helpful in launching investigations. If approved by the County Attorney, test results could be admissible as evidence. Nashville’s successful Safe Bar program includes training, intervention strategies, drink covers, test kits, and an app—now in 78 establishments—boosting both safety and downtown PR. California passed a law requiring venues to offer test kits, either free or for purchase. These models offer potential frameworks for Tempe to enhance nightlife safety. The subcommittee will meet on the last Friday of each month through the end of the year. Next steps include outreach to bar and restaurant owners, ASU student groups, and exploring funding opportunities. Agenda Item 4 – Input from staff and stakeholders Vice Mayor Garlid noted the potential positive of a comprehensive test kit program and expressed excitement to continue the subcommittee’s work with a focus on education. Councilmember Hodge suggested including high school seniors preparing for college. Councilmember Keating echoed the enthusiasm, emphasizing that the program could be cost- neutral while drawing nightlife patrons back to Mill Avenue and enhancing public safety. He stated his goal of launching a program by year’s end and adjourned the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m. Prepared by: Keaton Hill, Council Assistant, (480) 350-8463 Reviewed by: Tanya Chavez, Mayor and Council Relations Director, (480) 858-2215