If you're having a drink in Nashville, stay alert. Per the Metro Nashville Police Department, it's important to remember some common-sense tips:
Videos by Wide Open Country
Don't take drinks from strangers.
Don't leave your drinks unattended.
Know your limits.
Reports of people ingesting spiked drinks continue to make headlines, with the most recent incident involving Metro Council member Olivia Hill over Labor Day weekend.
What Happened to Nashville Councilmember Olivia Hill?
According to a post on Hill's social accounts and reported by WSMV-TV, the councilperson had less than one beer at an unnamed restaurant. She then began slurring her words, and her body "started shutting down."
"By 2:00 a.m., I woke up and started asking questions," she continued. "I knew something terribly wrong ?had happened, so I asked her to take me to the ER. At Vanderbilt, doctors ran every possible test for a stroke, heart attack, or other medical emergencies. Thankfully, my heart is strong. My body is sound. But the truth is clear: my drink had been compromised."
Hill, the first transgender woman elected in Tennessee, then discussed possible motives for spiking her drink and emphasized the importance of self-protection.
"What many don't realize is that hospitals don't routinely test for drugs like GHB — the same drugs predators use to incapacitate people," she said. "Survivors are often left without proof, just trauma and unanswered questions.
"I can't ignore that just a day before, I was on national television (TMZ LIVE). Maybe it's [a] coincidence. Maybe it's not. But whether this happened to me because of who I am — or simply because predators exist — the truth is, it could happen to anyone."
Metro Nashville Police took a report from Hill but, citing a lack of drugs in her system or threats, did not investigate further. The report also noted that her doctor did not test for Rohypnol or GHB.
There Have Been Other Reports of Drink Spiking in Nashville
Social media is filled with stories of people having their drinks spiked. Recently, a report on NewsNation showed what happened when one couple went out to a bar to celebrate a birthday. After two drinks, Kyle Alexander began acting aggressively and walking in front of cars. When they got back to their hotel, Alexander's violent behavior continued.
"He is pounding his head against the shower," said his partner, Caitlyn. "And I grab him and put my hand behind his head and said, 'Get out now. What are you doing? Calm down.' At one point, I had stuck my hand down his throat to see if he would throw up. I was just trying to figure out anything I could to bring him back."
While not unique to Nashville, these incidents underscore the importance of exercising caution when enjoying a night out at your favorite singer's new establishment or at the next bachelor/bachelorette party.
So, please be safe out there. Look out for your friends and yourself. If you suspect a drink has been tampered with, seek help immediately and report it to authorities.
Photo by L. Paul Mann / Shutterstock
