| Getting involved with illegal drugs when travelling | | | | zero-tolerance policy to drugs include: Greece, Cyprus, |
| overseas is not only highly risky, but a potential | | | | Spain, Denmark, Tunisia, Venezuela, Jamaica, the U.S. |
| life-wrecker and anything but a win-win situation. No | | | | and the United Arab Emirates (i.e. Dubai). In many other |
| amount of money in return for carrying drugs is worth | | | | countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Iran |
| the risk. Many people do not realise that travel | | | | the death penalty is imposed for serious drug charges. |
| insurance is unlikely to cover any claims related to | | | | Many travellers have the misconception that they can |
| illegal behaviour or excessive intoxication. | | | | freely do drugs in Amsterdam, but drugs are illegal |
| Some travellers believe they can safely transport 'soft | | | | there (including psychoactive mushrooms) although, at |
| drugs' for recreational use on holiday. However, many | | | | the time of writing, there are designated places where |
| substances considered soft drugs at home are not | | | | the use of cannabis is tolerated. |
| viewed as such in other countries - and again travel | | | | A criminal conviction from abroad follows a person |
| insurance is unlikely to pick up the tab if things go | | | | home where it may seriously impact their life and |
| wrong (depending on the circumstances). | | | | career. Consulates and embassies abroad are unable |
| Intoxication due to drugs and/or alcohol may, and often | | | | to intervene if local laws are broken. Imagine being |
| does, lead to arrest. Most countries have a low | | | | alone and facing legal proceedings in a country where |
| tolerance for drunk and disorderly behaviour. It is | | | | you do not speak or understand the language. |
| important to research the local laws and customs | | | | A few tips to help avoid trouble: |
| before visiting a foreign country to avoid inadvertently | | | | - Choose friends wisely. If your companion is found to |
| causing offense or getting arrested. | | | | be in possession you are likely to be implicated |
| The punishment for a drugs offense abroad varies | | | | - Make a pact with trusted friends to watch out for |
| from country to country - but none of it is good news! | | | | each other so that no one is left alone if intoxicated (or |
| Imagine suffering the humiliation of a strip search and | | | | a victim of drug spiking) but taken back to the hotel, or |
| interrogation, often in horrific, dangerous, and filthy | | | | a hospital |
| conditions. Punishment can range from fines, to jail time, | | | | - Write down details of your hotel with phone number, |
| to a life sentence or even the death penalty - and in | | | | local emergency numbers, and numbers for the |
| some countries bail is not granted for drug offenses. | | | | nearest consulate or embassy |
| There are more reasons to stay away from drugs - | | | | - Carry a copy of the prescription or doctor's letter for |
| especially when travelling - than can be listed here, but | | | | any prescribed medicines. This is also necessary to |
| here are a few: | | | | take legal drugs through customs and immigration |
| - Health risks associated with taking drugs - often fatal | | | | points |
| in hot climates with the effects of dehydration | | | | - When heavily intoxicated, people are likely to choke |
| - Mixing drugs with other substances, including alcohol, | | | | to death on their own vomit if not watched and placed |
| may produce unexpected and often deadly or bizarre | | | | on their side |
| side-effects, including hallucinations | | | | - Airports use drug detection devices and sniffer dogs |
| - Drugs purchased in a foreign country (or anywhere) | | | | So, what happens if you get into difficulties and require |
| may have been cut with unknown substances | | | | medical attention, end up in jail, or have your property |
| - Mixing drugs with prescribed medicines may cause | | | | stolen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol? It |
| dangerous reactions | | | | is unlikely that your travel insurance will cover any |
| - Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol | | | | related claims. It is a lose-lose situation, whichever way |
| makes you an easy target for criminals | | | | you look at it, and could carry a hefty price tag. Why |
| A few popular holiday destination countries with a | | | | mess up a great holiday. |