Alcohol and Drugs Abroad

Laws for alcohol and drug use in other countries may be different from the ones travelers are familiar with.  It is important to be aware that many countries may have harsher laws than those in the U.S.

• Not knowing does not mean consequences will be less severe. Travelers are subject to the local laws, regardless of their citizenship.
• Some examples you may find online are:
  • a traveler jailed in Japan for allegedly smuggling Adderall.
  • a traveler on death row in Indonesia for smuggling drugs.
  • a traveler says she was duped into carrying a bag she thought only contained clothes, now faces death penalty.
  • a traveler randomly tested in South Korea and jailed.
  • a teacher charged with drug possession in Taiwan and facing potential death penalty.

Travelers may find new situations stressful.

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse states on their NIDA Community Drug Alert Bulletin: “Stressful events can profoundly influence initiation, continuation, and relapse of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.”
• The CDC states on their Managing Stress article. “The best ways to manage stress in hard times are through self-care. Avoid drugs and alcohol. They may seem to be a temporary fix to feel better, but in the long run they can create more problems and add to your stress—instead of take it away.“

• Harmful alcohol consumption reduces self-control and increases risky behaviours, such as unsafe sex http://t.co/jrbCDRUpKq #YouthDay

  — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 12, 2015

Find below general tips and other useful resources on alcohol and drugs abroad.

General advice

• Have a plan to manage stress. Check the resources section of this article.
• Be observant of the local laws regarding drugs and alcohol use.
• Be observant of the Student Code of Conduct, the Responsible Action Program and the Standards of Conduct Guide for UT Dallas employees.

Alcohol

• Find out from local and reliable sources about what areas or locales in town are safe to go for a drink and which are not.
• If you choose to drink, be responsible. Over consumption makes you less alert and decreases your ability to make good decisions around your safety and security.
• Do not accept drinks from friendly strangers. They may have slipped drugs in the drink, it may also create a situation where the person believes you owe him/her.
• Do not leave your drink unattended. Someone may slip drugs in your drink when you are not looking.
• Avoid underage and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Driving under the influence and drinking on the street or on public transportation may be considered criminal activities by local authorities.

Drugs

• Make sure your prescription or over the counter medication is not considered an illegal narcotic. Check with the foreign country’s embassy here in the U.S. to make sure your medications are not considered illegal narcotics, how you need to transport them, and whether you’ll be able to carry the amount you need for your trip.
• Carry a doctor’s prescription for any medication you are taking with you.
• Don’t import, purchase, use, or have drugs in your possession. Drug charges can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried and sentences ranging from fines and jail time to years of hard labor. Some crimes even carry the penalty of death. Contraband or paraphernalia associated with illegal drug use can also get you in trouble.
• Say no to anyone asking you to carry a package. If the package contains illegal drugs or substances, the fact that you didn’t know that will not reduce the consequences.
• Pack your luggage yourself, and keep it with you at all times before check-in.

You may also find useful the following resources:

• Traveler toolkit
• UT Dallas Support Services
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Center for Students in Recovery
  • Student Health Center
  • Student Wellness Center
  • Employee Assistance Program
• UT Dallas Policies
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Responsible Action Program
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Standards of Conduct Guide for UT Dallas Employees
• WebMD 13 Tips to Ease Stress
• CDC Managing Stress article
• Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Within the U.S. and Canada
  • Outside the U.S. and Canada
  • Online Meetings

Sources

• U.S. Department of State
  • Information for Women Travelers.
  • Personal Security — At Home, On the Street, While Traveling.
  • Traveler’s Checklist.
• SAFETI article Sexual Harassment and Prevention in US Students Traveling Abroad.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA Community Drug Alert Bulletin.

The information on this page may change without notice