Austin Boosts Drink Safety Program | Austin News

Austin’s Sip Safely program just got a $20K boost from City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes to restock test strips for bars running out — a vital tool in the fight against drink spiking. Managed by the city’s Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Department, the initiative is refining its outreach after a successful pilot, aiming to make safety resources more accessible. With 70 bars onboard and over 3,000 test strips distributed — including 1,900 to patrons and 450 drink covers — the program’s impact is already felt. But officials warn: drink spiking is real, often hidden under other crime categories like sexual assault, and unreported cases make tracking difficult. If you suspect tampering, call 911 or reach out to SAFE Alliance for help. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7da8122a1b7e69b3