Concerns have been raised after nightclub officials attempted to confiscate a woman’s insulin as part of routine bag search to prevent drink spiking in the club.
The unnamed woman was attempting to enter Brighton’s Coalition nightclub when the search took place, being informed that despite her condition and reliance on her medication, she would have to have her bag taken away if she wished to gain entry.
Carrying insulin pens, blood glucose monitors, testing kits and other equipment to manage their condition is necessary for the health of diabetics, however the club had indicated that their policy was to take away all medication and possible methods of injection due to the current situation regarding ongoing drink spiking across the cities establishments.
Numbers have sharply risen in recent weeks surrounding the complaints of women who have believed to suffered from either being drink spiked or being injected by drugs themselves.
Halloween weekend saw a rise in hospital admissions regarding the issues, with police now being concerned as to the growth of incidents.
The woman in question was informed by staff that they would try to provide her with the equipment in under 40 seconds, however due to the condition it would be dangerous for her to be without it, especially in a busy nightclub where speed of service cannot be guaranteed.
Despite this, the club refused to admit her without first confiscating her medication.
She claims that the incident left her feeling discriminated against and as if she was being dismissed when raising her individual needs regarding her condition.
The club claims that they ask attendees to voluntarily hand things over and apologised if this policy was followed too stringently in this matter.
As per their rules, they claim that they have had many follow this policy and hand over supplies, while the ones who refuse face no issues being admitted into the venue.
Following staff discussions, they offered an unreserved apology if the woman in question was mistakenly made to feel that handing over equipment was a condition of entry and affirm this was never the intention of the door staff.
Photo Credit: Alexander Popov
