A COUPLE from Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway leading a charity dedicated to combating drink-spiking have taken their campaign to Westminster.
Colin and Mandy Mackie, who run a business in Moffat, support proposed legislative changes being debated at the UK Parliament aimed at deterring drugs or alcohol being covertly added to an un-suspecting individual’s drink.
They tragically lost their 18-year-old son Greg several years ago when he was found dead after his soft drink was spiked with what tests later identified as the liquid equivalent of five ecstasy tablets. He had earlier attended a party during what was his first year studying TV and film in Edinburgh.
The Mackies subsequently founded the charity Spike Aware UK which raises awareness amongst young people, parents and bar staff whilst also circulating and promoting the use of anti-spiking kits.
They regularly visit schools to tell young people their story and highlight the lethal dangers of drink-spiking and precautions that can be taken, including the use of specially designed glass and bottle covers.
The couple were hosted at Westminster by their local MP David Mundell and also met a number of other MPs supportive of legislation changes, including former Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Mr and Mrs Mackie, proprietors of the Glamour Gifts and Beauty Shop at Moffat, live at Elvanfoot, near Biggar, and state they are determined to try to prevent other families experiencing the heartache they felt after Greg’s tragic death.
Colin Mackie said: “It was a very interesting and positive visit and it was good to see just how much cross-party support there was for tightening and modernising the old laws currently used in drink-spiking cases.”
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale representative, Mr Mundell, said: “Colin and Mandy have done excellent work through the charity they founded and run.
“If implemented, the law changes proposed at Westminster would cover England and Wales, but I firmly believe the Scottish Parliament should also consider devolved legislation to reduce this dreadful problem which is costing too many lives.”
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