Nashville City Council Member Reportedly Drugged At Local Restaurant Amid Growing Drink Spiking Concerns In Music City

Scary…

Reports of drink spiking here in Nashville are unfortunately nothing new. Just a couple of weeks ago, a report from NewsNation interviewed a couple who say they were drugged at a bar in midtown, and social media is filled with stories and warnings from people who claim that they were the victims of drink spiking while partying on Broadway at the bars in downtown Nashville.

We’ve reported on it here before, and even heard criticism from folks in Nashville who aren’t happy that we’re bringing attention to it (which is ironic that they’re more upset at us for reporting on it than they are that it’s happening in the first place).

But now, one Nashville official is claiming that they were a victim of drink spiking themselves.

Metro Nashville city council member Olivia Hill took to social media this week with a warning after a recent incident at a local restaurant:

“Last weekend, I was drugged at a restaurant here in Nashville,” Hill wrote. “I had less than a beer that night — maybe half — when suddenly my words slurred, my food spilled from my hands, and my body started shutting down. It happened so fast that Bianca had to get help from strangers in the restaurant just to get me safely out the door. She was terrified, and at first thought it might ruin me politically if she called 911 because I genuinely appeared to be drunk. She got me home, stayed by my side, and prayed I would come around.”

Hill was eventually taken to the hospital, though according to WSMV the doctors didn’t test for Rohypnol or GHB, two drugs commonly used to spike drinks.

The council member didn’t name the restaurant as there’s an ongoing investigation, but it’s far from the only report of someone being drugged in Nashville recently as the city has turned into more of a party destination with tourists who often come to Music City to drink and let their guard down.

Fox17 recently shared the story of Gracie Carol, a singer here in Nashville who says she was drugged back in 2023 after accepting a drink from a group of guys at a rooftop bar:

“First of all, I wasn’t drunk. I know my drink limit. I didn’t have that much to drink. I started seeing spots and kind of blacking out as I was walking to the bathroom.”

The problem for many of the victims is that the drugs used in these crimes often leave the system before hospitals can test for them, and Vanderbilt Medical Center policy limits drug testing unless the victim has first reported the incident to the police – and by the time the victim is able to file a police report, there’s no doubt that the drugs will be out of their system.

Nashville director of nightlife Benton McDonough says the city is in ongoing conversations with hospitals about expanding the availability of tests, and state lawmakers are reportedly looking at legislation that will ensure access to testing for those who believe they have been drugged.

But in the meantime, the Metro Nashville Police Department recently issued a warning with safety tips including knowing your limits and taking common sense steps like watching your drinks and not taking drinks from strangers.

And a post on Reddit from a woman who says she works security at various bars in downtown Nashville also shared some tips for visitors, like taking photos with your friends before you go out so that it’s easier for someone to help you find them, keeping an eye on your drink, and using drink covers.

To be clear, it’s not just Nashville that has this problem: It’s any big city with people who are unfortunately looking for easy targets to take advantage of. But it just underscores the importance of being safe and remaining vigilant while you’re trying to have a good time.The post Nashville City Council Member Reportedly Drugged At Local Restaurant Amid Growing Drink Spiking Concerns In Music City first appeared on Whiskey Riff.