LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The bar scene on Bardstown Road is one of the most notable things about the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, but police say there has been an increase in the number of sexual assaults stemming from drugged drinks. 

“We have the most vibrant nightlife in the city, I would say. We also have a dense residential area,” Louisville Metro Councilwoman Cassie Chambers Armstrong said. “It’s a place that draws a lot of people. We know that with that, just by virtue of the fact that we have a lot of people coming out, that we’re going to have issues arise.”

Chambers said the city has spent $1,000 on a pilot program to provide bar owners, employees and other groups with test cards and stickers to help identify spiked drinks.

“We know that having a thriving, vibrant nightlife is food for our city. We want to make sure that Bardstown Road is continuing to be able to be that for the community,” she said. “And we want to make sure that everyone is safe as we do so.”

Louisville Metro Police have released no details about where specifically the drugging incidents are occurring and how often it’s happening.

“One is too many, and we’ve seen more than one,” Lt. Brad Silveria with Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control said. “That’s about the best I can say, and I’m really sorry, but for right now, we’re trying to identify who did this and get awareness out there.”

Silveria said police will hit the ground running once the full shipment of testing supplies comes in to get them out to bars in the area.

“It’s unfortunate that we’re here and we have to do this, because somebody is a coward and has to use drugs to try and take advantage of somebody.”

Anyone who is the victim of a sexual assault should call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential support.