The Tempe City Council voted to approve Arizona's first drink spiking ordinance in a unanimous vote during the Feb. 5 regular meeting.
The introduction and adoption of the ordinance was led by Councilmember Randy Keating, who was one of the leaders of the subcommittee on drink spiking solutions.
The decision came after hours of discussion and several drafts and public meetings that included businesses, residents and city staff working to find solutions to drink spiking on Mill Avenue and across the city.
Councilmember Nikki Amburg suggested making drink spiking part of the curriculum of Tempe’s high school health classes in addition to partnering with the city for further community outreach.
Kris Baxter-Ging, communications director for the city, said the city plans to have community outreach and education with help from the Tempe Coalition. The plan includes signs and digital public service announcements as well as partnerships with Arizona State University.
She said Tempe was aided in development of its ordinance through research of other similar ordinances in states like Tennessee, Virginia and California.
“If we want to do something about this then is the key,” Councilmember Arlene Chin said following the public’s comments.
Though supportive, Chin was skeptical of making a mandate of test kits and lids required immediately instead of doing a trial period.
Following the first meeting, Keating acknowledged input from businesses and agencies and changed the ordinance to reflect the feedback of legal counsel, business owners and agency representatives who took issue with the original draft.
The second ordinance draft changed the language to help protect businesses from legal liabilities should an incident occur in their establishment.
The draft also omitted an original idea that would have let patrons bring in their own cups for use.
Other language changes include having “lab-certified” test kits, including Series 6 and Series 12 (bar and restaurant liquor license classifications), and requiring establishments to restock test kits three business days from running out.
Sign requirements were modeled after those already in place that communicate how to order an “Angel Shot,” which would help a patron communicate with establishment staff that they are in an uncomfortable situation with a date or other patron.
Keating said that drink spiking awareness language can be included on these signs to allow establishments to choose their own designs and not require more physical signs in small areas like restrooms and corners.
The Tempe Police Department has supported the initiative from the start, as many drink spiking cases have the potential to lead to assault and theft.
Other speakers approved as well.
One woman named Angela, who spoke virtually, said one night she was drugged and assaulted.
“This is why this ordinance means so much to me, because if I had known about drink spiking or been able to test, I could have changed the outcome of my night,” she said.
Others changed their minds after seeing the new draft.
Dan Bogert, chief operating officer of the Arizona Restaurant Association, thanked Keating for his flexibility to change language and work through the ordinance to ensure success.
Amburg was supportive of the changes, but called for an amendment defining drink spiking and specifics on the chief of police’s role of which businesses can be excluded.
“Making a strong ordinance takes compromise and genuine interest in all sides, and we can see that here,” Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid said before the vote.
The final request from Amburg was to have a work study session that discussed the progress of the ordinance next year.
“This was a complete group effort from us all and we worked diligently to create an ordinance that we would all be happy with,” Keating said before the vote.
He thanked stakeholders, lawyers and others involved in the process. Especially the young people who shared their stories and support.
“It's your voices that will get this thing over the finish line at the end of the day,” he said.
Chandler, Phoenix and Mesa are currently exploring similar solutions following the work of Keating and the council.
The ordinance will go into effect on Aug. 1, which will allow businesses six months to comply and will be in effect before Arizona State University begins the fall semester.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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