Parents of a young Scots man who tragically passed away after being drugged have stepped forward to speak out as cases of spiking incidents rise in Scotland. The victim, Greg Mackie, was just 18 years old when he was found dead at Edinburgh College in 2017. Greg, a film and media student, was discovered by a janitor in the campus bathroom. A toxicology report revealed that he had the equivalent of five ecstasy tablets in his system, without any trace of alcohol present.
Colin and Mandy Mackie, Greg’s parents from Biggar, have bravely shared their story and launched a campaign to address drink-spiking, leading Spike Aware UK. Reports show a significant increase in spiking cases recorded by Police Scotland, with 295 cases reported in 2021-22, compared to 44 cases in 2019. Since 2023, Scotland has seen 168 reported spiking incidents, although only nine cases have been referred to the Crown Office due to lack of evidence.
During an episode of Scotland Tonight, Mandy Mackie expressed her belief that her son was “murdered,” emphasizing that his death was classified as a drugs overdose, but she insists it was more than that. Greg’s parents recall the heartbreaking moment when they were informed of his death, highlighting the pain of not knowing what Greg’s life would be like now, as he would have turned 25. In Scotland, spiking is not a standalone criminal offence but is investigated under drugging laws or the Sexual Offences Act.
The Mackies felt that police did not pursue the possibility of spiking seriously and were left to seek answers on their own. In the absence of legislative measures specifically addressing spiking, cases like Greg’s remain challenging to prosecute. Scotland Tonight: Spiking in the Spotlight includes interviews with other victims of spiking and representatives from the hospitality industry. The episode airs at 8:30 pm on STV and STV Player. To stay updated on the latest news, sign up for the daily newsletter.