'Bouncers thought I was a drug addict' says diabetic (From Oxford Mail)

'Bouncers thought I was a drug addict' says diabetic

10:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Oxford By Rhianne Pope

James Cowley with the insulin, monitoring equipment and medic alert bracelet he carries with him

A DIABETIC clubber claims doormen mistook him for an illegal drug user.

James Cowley was with friends at Camera Fusion Bar and Restaurant in St Ebbe’s Street when he said bouncers asked to look through his bag.

The Oxford Brookes student said they told him to leave when they found his insulin and monitoring equipment.

Mr Cowley, 21, of Marston, said: “I was outside in the smoking area with friends because it was hot inside.

“But when I started to go back inside, a doorman asked what was in my bag. I had no problem with that, it’s their job.

“But then he pulled me out of the smoking area away from everyone. He started going through my bag and throwing things on the floor.

“It had been raining that night so a lot of it got wet. I’ve got sterile equipment in there and electronic monitoring equipment, but he had no regard for it.”

Mr Cowley was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 12. While most people’s bodies produce insulin naturally to break down blood sugars, he has to inject it every day.

He must also monitor his blood sugar levels, which if they became too high or low, could prove life-threatening.

The student said staff failed to recognise his medic alert bracelet, which displays an internationally-recognised symbol identifying the wearer as a diabetic.

He added: “They told me the jewellery was fake and it was a cover-up for taking illegal drugs.”

Despite a medic coming over to authenticate the insulin, Mr Cowley said he was still not allowed back into the club.

He said: “My things were thrown on the floor with total disregard. I have never had a problem like this before.

“Obviously they thought it was a cover-up for something more sinister. But it’s a lack of education for what is a life-threatening illness.”

Cathy Moulton, clinical adviser at national charity Diabetes UK, said: “We have worked with the nightclub industry to help their staff understand that, although a person may not need to carry their insulin with them, they should be able to access their equipment within 10-15 minutes.

“If a nightclub refuses to allow a person to keep their insulin injecting kit with them, then they should provide a locked and labelled box for it to be stored in on the premises.”

A Camera spokesman said they knew about the incident, which took place last Thursday, but could not comment until they had fully investigated.