On September 17, 2025 Central Vancouver Island Crime Stoppers publicly announced that in conjunction with police and local pub and bar owners, a campaign to raise awareness about the continuance of patrons having their drinks tampered with and how they can avoid or at leaser drink more safely began.
In its practice of leading anti-crime and awareness programs in the mid Vancouver Island, Central Vancouver Island Crime Stoppers raised funds to produce 30,000 drink coasters to be handed out initially to drinking establishments in the Nanaimo and specifically those in the Bar Watch program. In addition, these businesses received several color posters depicting scenes where the patrons were having their drinks spiked. These posters would be intended to be placed in washrooms and common areas as well. They were developed by students in the Graphic Arts Program at Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo campus who were asked to come up with scenarios that they were familiar with or had heard from others.
As can be seen on the attached coasters, the front has a drink glass with our logo and QR code while the rear has information for both patrons and bar staff highlighting what happens when a drink is spiked, who to call ( manager, police ) and other information to prevent it from happening.
R/Cst Gary O’Brien, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, Brian Cornborough, President and Bruce Stevenson, Director met with some of the members of the Bar Watch program to discuss this campaign and hand out a sufficient number of coasters and posters to each pub/bar.
Once all establishments in the greater Nanaimo area are on board, “we would like to see the campaign extended beyond Nanaimo Bar Watch members to Vancouver Island University and other licensed establishments and even private parties.” said R/Cst. O’Brien. (Quoted in the Nanaimo News Bulletin 2025.09.24)
While the cost of the coasters has been borne by the Crime Stoppers locally, it is the hope that when time comes to replenish the supply of coasters that local business will come and join with Crime Stoppers in supplying these coasters to others. It is important that local business in each of our local areas from Tofino to Mill Bay become involved as the issue persists.
A copy of the three posters and the three different coasters used are attached. The rear of each coaster has an identical message.
Posters
Coasters