Drugged drinks: Survivors push for bill to require hospital testing

It could soon be easier for anyone in Massachusetts to get tested for date rape drugs. Survivors filled the state house Tuesday to testify in support of a bill that would require hospitals to do the testing even when a sexual assault has not occurred. 

The bill was inspired by a Northeastern student who posted about her experience on TikTok. Brinly Meelia said she was turned away from Massachusetts General Hospital after her drink was spiked at an off-campus party. She said doctors told her she could not get tested because she had not been raped or sexually assaulted. 

“Since when is getting drugged not criminal activity?” Meelia asked in the video. 

Not only did Meelia’s video reach MGH, where hospital officials have since made changes, the video also caught the attention of Senator Paul Feeney (D-Brisol and Norfolk). He filed a bill that would establish a protocol for date rape testing at all hospitals. 

“This way survivors won’t have to play hospital roulette to figure out which hospital they can go to for a test,” Senator Feeney said.