FCO warns travellers on the dangers of drugs abroad

Wednesday, 06 Mar, 2002 0

As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) information campaign Know Before You Go, travellers are being urged to check out two new drug factsheets on drug penalties abroad and measures to avoid getting duped.

Statistics released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reveal that 3,200 British Nationals are currently imprisoned abroad – equivalent to 60 full tour coaches. Of these, over a third are detained for drug offences.

Richard Morris, deputy head of the Foreign Office’s Consular Division, said: “It’s very sad that so many British Nationals are imprisoned abroad, often in conditions very different to those they would experience in Britain. Our aim by focussing on drugs is to make travellers as fully informed as possible of the pitfalls and penalties which they can face if they get involved with drugs abroad, or try to bring them back home. The Know Before You Go website is there to help everyone stay on the right side of the law while they’re abroad and we urge people to use it.

The FCO is concerned that a growing number of Britons, especially young people, are becoming involved in taking, carrying or dealing in drugs whilst on holiday. The ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign is working with holiday companies such as Club 18-30, organisations such as ‘Prisoners Abroad’ and gap year and independent travel specialists to highlight the penalties if holidaymakers break the law.

The FCO country travel advice contains detailed information on drug laws and penalties along with new drugs factsheets and general information on travelling abroad. Its website www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo also directs travellers to other web sites such as the Department of Health, which contains specific information on the health risks associated with drugs. There is also a link to Tourism Concern’s web site which provides detailed information on the environmental impact of the worldwide drugs trade and its economic and social effects on local communities.

Preview of Factsheet Getting into Drugs Abroad
If you are thinking about taking drugs whilst on holiday abroad or bringing some back with you, stop and think about the facts below – otherwise your holiday of a lifetime could end up lasting a lifetime in jail!

Many countries outside the UK refuse to grant bail before trial and often detain people in solitary confinement

You will still get a criminal record in the UK if caught with drugs abroad

If you’ve been caught with drugs abroad, you’re unlikely to ever be allowed to visit the country again

If you get injured or ill as a result of drugs, your holiday insurance may be invalidated and your tour operator can refuse to fly you home

Cyprus – has a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and possession will usually lead to a hefty fine or even life imprisonment

Spain – penalties are severe and sentences for carrying can be up to 12 years

Greece – possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy and even life imprisonment

Jamaica – drug offences result in mandatory prison sentences (conditions are harsh) and large fines.

Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment

Venezuela – drug carriers face minimum 10-year prison sentences in harsh conditions

Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran and Algeria can impose the death sentence for some drugs charges

Remember, if you get caught with drugs abroad, the British Consul CANNOT get you out of jail, or get you better conditions than are provided for local or other nationals or give legal advice. For more advice on laws and penalties for drugs and what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can and cannot do, plus travellers’ checklists, visit: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

Notes:
The Know Before You Go campaign is run on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by AEA Technology Ltd. The campaign aims to raise public awareness and to encourage companies involved in the travel industry to join in partnership with the FCO to promote the key messages – take out travel insurance and check out the FCO travel web site before you go.

For further information about the campaign and how companies can sign up to the Charter for the British Traveller Overseas call 01235 436744 or e-mail [email protected].