Warwick SU announces drug-detection dog will be at POP! this week to tackle spiking

Warwick SU has announced a drug-detection dog will be at this week’s POP! event in the Copper Rooms, to help tackle drink spiking. This measure comes two weeks after the SU released its Drink-Spiking action plan, detailing its plans to help keep students safe.

In a statement released on their website and social media pages, the SU said: “In an additional response to the concerns raised by members over the threat of spiking, we will be working with a specialised passive drug-detection dog over the course of the end of term.”

The SU stated the key focus of the detection dog will be to remove the opportunity for any individual to carry illicit drugs into the venue, whilst removing any concerns students may have over profiling or discrimination in the attempt to safeguard event attendees.

The SU explained: “The dog and its handler will be working at POP! on Wednesday and any indication made by the dog will result in the individual being requested to be searched. Any individual refusing a search will be unable to enter the event”.

The SU also said the dog and its handler will be present at future SU events “on an ad hoc basis without prior warning”. They will be accompanied by a member of the SU management team at all times, and any searches or substances found will be dealt with according to the SU’s venue policy.

The SU also encouraged anyone attending with a dog allergy, phobia or other dog-related concerns to make themselves known to the management team so they may assist accordingly.

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