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DRUGS
ABROAD
ESSENTIAL HOLIDAY INFORMATION
Drugs abroad
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Essential
Information
Information about...
about...
subject
page
Drugs, alcohol and the unfamiliar
3
What to do in an emergency
7
Smuggling drugs
10
Drugs and the law
11
The law abroad
12
Getting arrested abroad
13
The British Consul
15
Getting covered
16
Sex in the sun
17
Drug files
19
Before you go...
23
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DRUGS, ALCOHOL
and the
UNFAMILIAR
hen you’re on holiday
W
you’re in an unfamiliar
place, so the risks involved if
you take drugs or get drunk
are increased. This booklet
contains important information
to help you make the most of
your holiday and avoid difficult
and dangerous situations.
l Always make sure you can find
your way back to your
,
accommodation safely – it s easy
to
get
lost
in
an
unfamiliar place, especially
,
if you re drunk or have taken
drugs.
Keep an eye on your
friends when you go out and MAKE
,
SURE YOU DON T GET SEPARATED. If
,
,
you re alone you ll be vulnerable
to muggers. Make a note of the
Holiday reps report that muggers target
tourists who are drunk and walking back
to their accommodation alone at night.
Reps also report cases of young women
who are seen to be drunk and walking
alone at night being forced into cars
and raped.
name and address of your hotel or
apartment, and take it with you in
the evenings when you go out.
In some resorts, if you are found drunk
in the street, you will be taken away
by the local police.
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... DRUGS, ALCOHOL and the UNFAMILIAR
Taking more than one drug at a
time or mixing drugs with alcohol
increases the risks and can lead
to unpredictable effects. Illegal
drugs can also affect prescription
and other medicines, including
some antibiotics.
Overheating and Dehydration
l
There’s a risk of overheating and
dehydration for users of ecstasy or
speed if they dance energetically
without taking regular breaks or
drinking enough fluids. In a hot
country this risk is greatly increased.
Users should sip about a pint of nonalcoholic fluid such as fruit juice,
isotonic sports drinks or water every
hour. If you mix ecstasy with alcohol,
the risk of dehydration is increased.
l
When you drink alcohol your body can
become dehydrated, especially in a
hot climate. It’s important to drink
plenty of water to replace lost body
fluid.
The effects of overheating and
dehydration can be FATAL.
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l
AVOID SWIMMING AFTER TAKING
DRUGS OR DRINKING ALCOHOL.
l
DON’T BE TEMPTED TO RIDE A MOPED,
MOTORBIKE OR DRIVE ANY KIND OF
VEHICLE WHILE ON DRUGS OR AFTER
DRINKING ALCOHOL. THERE MAY BE
SEVERE PENALTIES AND IT IS very
dangerous.
Many people trying to buy drugs
on holiday are ripped off by
dealers. Sue, 21, paid £30 for
ground salt thinking she was
buying cocaine.
Gavin, 18, took advantage of the
cheap spirits on offer in the bars
in Tenerife. He took part in
drinking competitions with his
friends. He drank so much alcohol
that he vomited for 24 hours. He
was taken to hospital and had his
stomach pumped. He was on a drip
for three days. His hospital bills
weren’t covered by his travel
insurance (see page 16).
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... DRUGS, ALCOHOL and the UNFAMILIAR
l
l
If you’re tired during the
day, after a night out, take
care in the sun. Falling
asleep on the beach could
mean that you’ll burn, and
this increases your risk of
skin cancer. Enjoy the sun,
but take it easy.
If you’re worried about
your friends using drugs
and you don’t want to feel
pressurised, make it clear
to them that you’re not
interested before you go
away. That way you can
defuse the situation before
it arises. Remember, drugs
are illegal wherever you
take them. The safest
options are not taking
drugs and not drinking too
much alcohol.
Holiday reps
report cases of
people breaking their
necks trying to jump
off second floor
balconies into
swimming pools after
taking drugs or
drinking too much
alcohol.
For information about the health risks of different drugs call
FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 before you go on holiday or when you
return.This confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
For advice about alcohol call DRINKLINE on 0800 917 8282.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EFFECTS AND HEALTH RISKS OF
DIFFERENT DRUGS IS GIVEN IN THE DRUG FILES ON PAGES 19–22.
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What to do
in an
EMERGENCY
Drugs affect everyone differently.
The effects can depend on the
amount taken, the user’s mood
and their surroundings.
Sometimes people suffer a bad
reaction. It’s important to know
what to do if you, or a friend,
become ill after taking a drug
or drinking too much alcohol.
Find out the local emergency
number and the address of the
nearest hospital when you
arrive. Your holiday rep or hotel
will know. This information could
help save a life.
Cannabis, ecstasy, LSD, magic mushrooms and speed
(amphetamines) can sometimes make the user feel TENSE
AND PANICKY. If this happens to someone:
n
n
n
n
Calm them and be reassuring.
Explain that the feelings will pass.
Steer them clear of crowds, noisy music and bright lights.
If they start breathing very quickly, calm them down and
encourage them to take long, slow breaths.
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... What to do in an EMERGENCY
Ecstasy and speed (amphetamines) affect the body’s
temperature control, which can lead to overheating and
dehydration. Warning signs include cramps, fainting,
headache or sudden tiredness. If someone gets TOO HOT
DEHYDRATES:
n
Move them to a cooler, quiet area (outside is
often best, but not in the sun).
n
Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down.
n
Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as
fruit juice and isotonic sports drinks.
n
If symptoms persist, call an ambulance, but make
sure that someone stays with them.
If you call an ambulance
and you know what drugs
have been taken, tell the
ambulance crew. If you
find drugs but you’re not
sure what they are, give
them to the crew.
This might save a Life.
8
AND
If you need to contact the
emergency services in the
following countries, you can
call them on these numbers:
Cyprus 112
France 15
Greece 166
Italy 118
Netherlands 112
Portugal 112/115
Spain 061
Turkey 112
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Drinking too much alcohol can lead to someone becoming
UNCONSCIOUS. Many drugs can also cause unconsciousness.
If this happens to someone:
n
Call an ambulance.
n
Place them in the recovery position (see below) so they won’t
choke if they vomit.
n
Check their breathing. Be prepared to do mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation.
n
Keep them warm, but not too hot. However, if someone has taken
ecstasy or amphetamines and you think they may have overheated,
move them to a cooler area and remove any excess clothing such
as a hat.
RECOVERY POSITION
If someone is very drunk, don’t leave them to sleep it off
alone because they could choke if they vomit. Keep an eye
on them – make sure they sleep on their side, and check
that they keep breathing. If possible, check they’re OK at
regular intervals, say every half hour.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FIRST AID, BEFORE YOU GO ON HOLIDAY,
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BRITISH RED CROSS BRANCH (LOOK IN YOUR
PHONEBOOK) OR CALL ST JOHN AMBULANCE ON 08700 10 49 50.
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SMUGGLING
DRUGS
HM Customs and Excise work in
and around all UK ports and airports. Their job is
to detect the movement of illegal drugs and other
prohibited or restricted goods in and out of the
UK. And they’re good at it. If an Officer doesn’t
pick you out, there’s likely to be a Customs sniffer
dog interested in you and your baggage.
Even if you don’t see any Customs Officers, it
doesn’t mean they’re not around. These days
Customs work more and more behind the scenes,
and they have a wide range of equipment to help
them such as CCTV systems and X-ray machines.
If you were carrying drugs through Customs and
were stopped and questioned, could you keep
your head? Not break out into a sweat? Not
stutter when spoken to? Customs Officers are
trained to search everything and anything, and
to watch your every reaction very carefully.
HM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TARGET POST BEING SENT FROM
CERTAIN HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS. THEY USE SNIFFER DOGS TO
CHECK FOR DRUGS AND THE DOGS CAN PICK UP THE SCENT
FROM SMALL QUANTITIES OF CANNABIS, COCAINE, ECSTASY,
HEROIN, SPEED (AMPHETAMINES) AND MANY OTHER DRUGS –
EVEN WHEN THE DRUGS ARE WELL WRAPPED IN PLASTIC.
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DRUGS
and the
Page 11
LAW
You will be arrested if you
are found taking illegal drugs
in or out of the UK. If you
need to travel with prescribed
medication, get a note from
your GP – it could save you
a lot of time and hassle.
If you are suspected of carrying
class A drugs such as cocaine ,
ecstasy , heroin or LSD , you may
be questioned and if further
suspected, strip searched. If
found in possession of these
drugs you’ll almost certainly
face arrest, a charge and a full
prosecution by Customs and
Excise.
If prosecuted and found guilty you
will have a criminal record and the
British police will be informed.
You will need to provide details of
your conviction if they are
requested by your employers or
insurers. You might also be
refused a visa by certain
countries, particularly the USA.
You may have heard that
getting caught with a small
amount of some drugs does
not bring heavy penalties.
Customs and Excise may
recognise a very small quantity
as being for personal use in
certain circumstances, and
may offer you a financial
penalty instead of court
proceedings. Either way you
get a Customs record. This
means that if you are caught
a second time, a criminal
prosecution will result.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
FOR PARTNERS,
RELATIVES OR FRIENDS
If someone you’re travelling with is
found to be in possession of an
illegal drug, then you’re likely to be
questioned and possibly searched
as well. If you’re also found to be
carrying illegal drugs, the legal
penalties will be the same for both
of you. If you’re not carrying illegal
drugs, you’ll be asked to assist with
enquiries.
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the
LAW Abroad
Penalties abroad for using and smuggling drugs can be
12
VERY SEVERE.
Country
Maximum penalty
CYPRUS
Life imprisonment
GREECE
Life imprisonment
ITALY
20 years imprisonment
MOROCCO
10 years imprisonment plus a fine
PORTUGAL
25 years imprisonment
(Up to a year on remand)
SPAIN
12 years for trafficking
(Up to 2 years on remand)
TUNISIA
20 years imprisonment plus a fine.
The maximum sentence applies if you
are caught smoking cannabis in a
public place (e.g. a mosque or a hotel)
TURKEY
20 years imprisonment
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getting
ARRESTED
Abroad
Abroad
It’s not uncommon for
people to get into trouble
abroad. You could be
arrested for being drunk
and disorderly or for
disturbing the peace.
More than half the British
people in jail abroad have
been imprisoned for drug
offences.
Mark, 25, was stopped by the police in Gran
Canaria for no apparent reason. He was found to
be carrying 5 ecstasy pills. He found out later that
there had been a clamp-down that weekend. The
police wouldn’t believe that the ecstasy was for
his own personal use, and thought he was a
dealer. They decided to keep Mark in prison for
two days. His holiday company had to ask Mark
to leave his accommodation, and to organise his
own flight home.
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Recently, several holiday flights have
been re-routed after drunk
passengers assaulted airline staff and
other passengers. Penalties for being
drunk on a flight can be severe – up
to two years in jail and an unlimited
fine. The Government is also looking
to strengthen these powers both
nationally and internationally.
IF YOU GET ARRESTED AND YOU’RE TRAVELLING ON A BRITISH
PASSPORT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTACT THE BRITISH
CONSUL IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THERE’S BEEN AN ARREST OR
DETENTION OF A BRITISH NATIONAL, THE LOCAL POLICE ARE
OBLIGED TO CONTACT THE NEAREST BRITISH CONSULATE OR
HIGH COMMISSION. IF YOU’RE TRAVELLING ON THE PASSPORT
OF ANOTHER COUNTRY, CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE
CONSULATE.
You have the right to confidentiality. However, your friends
and family will be worried if you don’t arrive home when
expected, so keeping your arrest secret won’t be a simple
matter. You won’t know how long you’ll be detained, it’s
possible the media might find out and they’ll probably
contact your family for information. The whole experience
will probably affect your relationship with your employer,
college or university, now and in the future.
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CAN
The
The British
British Consul
Consul
::
l
visit you as soon as possible, if that’s what you want;
l
give you information about English-speaking local lawyers
and the legal system;
l
explain the prison system;
l
pass messages between you and your family;
l
ensure the prison doctor knows about any medical problems
you may have;
l
raise complaints about ill treatment or alleged discrimination
with the police or prison authorities and tell your lawyer.
CAN’T
The
The British
British Consul
Consul
::
l
get you out of jail;
l
give or pay for legal advice or instigate legal proceedings;
l
investigate a crime;
l
pay your fines or get you bail;
l
give you money while you’re in prison – funds will need to be
forwarded by your family or your friends;
l
forward parcels;
l
get better treatment for you than is given to local nationals;
l
formally assist you if you hold dual nationality in the country of your
arrest – although they’ll do everything to help you informally.
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Getting
Covered
If you have an accident or injure yourself
while on drugs, or under the influence of
alcohol, your medical insurance won’t cover
you. Keeping quiet about your drug use is
not an option because you’ll need to tell the
doctors which drugs you’ve taken to receive
the best treatment for your injury.
Prescription drugs won’t affect your rights,
unless you misuse them.
Alan, 23, was on holiday in Ibiza when he had a bad
reaction to ecstasy. He’d taken it in the UK and hadn’t
reacted this way. He started hearing voices and
hallucinating. He became terrified of his friends. He took
all his clothes off and tried to cut himself with a razor. He
was in no state to fly back and was taken to a psychiatric
hospital in Ibiza Town. Because his medical condition was
related to his drug use, he wasn’t covered by his travel
insurance. He spent ten days in the clinic which cost him
£4,000. His father had to fly out to take him home.
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in the
SEX SUN
HOLIDAYS
TEND TO BREAK DOWN
INHIBITIONS. IF YOU’RE DRINKING
A LOT OF ALCOHOL, OR USING
DRUGS, YOU COULD END UP
DOING SOMETHING YOU
WOULDN’T DO AT HOME
–
SUCH AS HAVING SEX WITHOUT
A CONDOM, OR HAVING SEX
WHEN YOU DON’T REALLY
WANT TO.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
l
Always use a condom if you have sex. Condoms help
protect against sexually transmitted infections such as
chlamydia, herpes, and HIV – the virus that causes AIDS.
l
Good quality condoms aren’t always easy to buy when
you’re abroad, so buy them before you go. Choose packs
with the CE Mark or the CE and the BSI Kitemark on the
box. Taking condoms doesn’t mean you’re looking for sex
– it just makes sense to be prepared.
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...
... SEX
SEX in
in the
the SUN
SUN
l
l
Sunscreen and aftersun lotion contain oil
that will damage condoms. Heat can also
damage condoms so keep them in a cool,
dry place. Never leave condoms in direct
sunlight.
If you don’t normally rely on condoms, don’t forget to take your
usual contraception as well. Remember that vomiting or diarrhoea
stop contraceptive pills from working. Some medicines can also
stop the pill working, so you may need to use condoms as a back
up. Emergency contraception isn’t available in many countries. If
you want to find out more about contraception before you go
away, ring the Contraceptive Education Service (CES) Helpline on
0845 310 1334.
If you want more
information on safer sex,
sexually transmitted
infections or HIV, call the
National AIDS Helpline
on 0800 567 123 –
it’s a free 24-hour
confidential service.
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DRUG FILES
the drug
COCAINE
other names
coke
charlie
snow
C
users feel relaxed and
talkative
l
cooking the drug then
eating it makes the
effects more intense
and harder to control
l
may bring on a craving
for food
l
sense of well-being,
alertness, confidence
l
effects last roughly
30 minutes
l
users are often left
craving more
l
smoking it with
tobacco may lead to
users becoming
hooked on cigarettes
l
impairs the ability to
learn and concentrate
l
can leave people tired
and lacking energy
l
users may lack
motivation and feel
apathetic
l
can make users feel
paranoid and anxious
depending on their
mood and situation
l
cocaine is addictive
l
leaves users feeling
tired and depressed
for 1 or 2 days
l
can cause chest pain
and heart problems
that can be fatal
l
heavy use can cause
convulsions
l
mixing Viagra with
cocaine may
increase the risk of
heart problems
Cannabis, Cocaine ...
other names
marijuana
draw
blow
weed
puff
shit
hash
spliff
l
the health risks
DRUG FILES
CANNABIS
the effects
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the drug
ECSTASY
other names
E
mitsubishis
dolphins
rolexes
disco biscuits
8:17
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the effects
l
users feel alert and in
tune with their
surroundings
l
sound, colour and
emotions seem more
intense
l
users may dance for
hours
the health risks
l
can leave users
feeling tired and
depressed for 1 or
2 days
l
risk of overheating
and dehydration
(see pages 4 & 8)
l
use has been linked
to liver and kidney
problems
l
some experts are
concerned that use
can lead to brain
damage causing
depression in
later life
l
mixing Viagra with
ecstasy may
increase the risk of
heart problems
chemical name: MDMA
(currently many tablets
l
contain MDEA, MDA,
MBDB)
GHB
l
has sedative
properties and can
induce feelings of
euphoria
l
GHB is very
dangerous when
mixed with alcohol or
other drugs
l
effects have been
known to last for
a day
l
excessive hits could
lead to sickness, stiff
muscles, fits and
even collapse
l
if incorrectly
produced, GHB can
badly burn the mouth
other names
GBH
20
effects last from
3 to 6 hours
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DRUG FILES
the drug
other names
special K
vitamin K
K
other names
acid
trips
tabs
blotters
microdots
dots
induces feelings of
euphoria
l
makes users feel that
the mind has been
separated from the
body. This creates ‘out
of body’ and
hallucinatory
experiences for up to
3 hours
l
during this time, a user
may be physically
unable to move
l
like LSD, the effects
are influenced by the
user’s mood and
environment
l
effects can last for 8
to 12 hours. Once a
trip starts it can’t be
stopped
l
users will experience
their surroundings in a
very different way
l
ketamine is very
dangerous when
mixed with alcohol or
other drugs
l
as ketamine numbs
the body, users risk
serious injury without
feeling pain
l
sometimes sold by
dealers as ecstasy.
This is dangerous as
the effects of
ketamine can be very
alarming if the user
isn’t expecting them
l
excessive doses carry
some risk of breathing
problems and heart
failure
l
users may have a
‘bad trip’ which can
be terrifying
l
‘flashbacks’ may be
experienced where
parts of a trip are relived some time later
l
can complicate
mental health
problems
Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine, LSD...
LSD
l
the health risks
DRUG FILES
KETAMINE
the effects
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DRUG FILES
POPPERS
other names
alkyl nitrites
amyl nitrite
butyl nitrite
isobutyl nitrite
the effects
l
brief but intense
‘head-rush’
l
flushed face and neck
l
effects fade after 2 to
5 minutes
the health risks
l
headache
l
feeling faint and sick
l
regular use can cause
skin problems around
the mouth and nose
l
dangerous for people
with anaemia,
glaucoma, and
breathing or heart
problems
l
if spilled, can burn
the skin
l
may be fatal if
swallowed
l
mixing Viagra with
poppers may
increase the risk of
heart problems
l
while on the drug
some users become
tense and anxious
l
leaves users feeling
tired and depressed
for 1 or 2 days
l
high doses repeated
over a few days may
cause panic and
hallucinations
l
mixing Viagra with
speed may increase
the risk of heart
problems
DRUG FILES
Poppers, Speed
the drug
SPEED
other names
amphetamines
speed
whizz
uppers
amph
billy
sulphate
22
l
feeling of excitement
– the mind races and
users feel confident
and energetic
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BEFORE
BEFORE you
you go...
go...
Passport number
Flight number
Out:
Return:
Flight times
Out:
Return:
Travel company contact
Hotel/Resort name & address
Local emergency
telephone number (ambulance)
Address of nearest hospital
Travellers cheques cancellation number
Credit card cancellation number
Insurance company telephone number
Name
Home address
Home telephone number
Next of kin
Address
Telephone number
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Images supplied by Blue Evolution except club/Ibiza images
supplied by Jamie B and Ken Passley.
Recovery position on page 9 by Annabel Milne.
© Crown Copyright 2001
27970 50k 5/03 008
Published by the Department of Health
Printed in Great Britain
The text of this document may be reproduced with out
formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use.
If you require further copies of this publication quote
27970/Drugs abroad and contact:
Department of Health Publications
PO Box 777
London SE1 6XU
Tel: 08701 555 455
Fax: 01623 724 524