According to Diabetes Health Magazine -- he is a well-spoken and forthcoming man with a good sense of humor and an easy-going manner. His name is Doug Burns and he's Mister Universe, for crying out loud! So why was he severely beaten by police? Sad but true - it happened during an episode of low blood sugar that occurred at a movie theater in Redwood City, California.

Doug states that he remembers seeing his friend in the theater and then feeling that he was getting low. He had recently started using a new drug to treat his diabetes. He hurried to a snack counter to find food but apparently was intercepted by a security guard who thought he was intoxicated, even though he did not smell of liquor and was wearing a medic alert bracelet. The next thing he remembers is waking up while being given glucose by paramedics. He was surrounded by 7 armed policemen who had severely clubbed him in the head and body and maced him. He was handcuffed in spite of his medic alert bracelet.

This event raises a huge issue that needs to be addressed. Police officers and security personnel should be thoroughly educated so that they can distinguish between and individual experiencing hypoglycemia or one that is intoxicated.