By My Yen La
Daily Bruin Contributor
The U.S. Department of State recently released two advisories
cautioning spring break travelers on the risks of drug and alcohol
abuse and “disorderly behavior” in a foreign
country.
“We try to do it every year around the time of spring
break,” said Karolina Walkin, a spokeswoman for the
Department of State. “The problems arise over and over again
through the years.”
The fact sheets state that U.S. citizens will not have immunity
from prosecution abroad, something that many people assume they
have, according to Walkin.
“When you travel to another culture, you’re in this
party mood,” Walkin said. “A lot of Americans
don’t take the time to inform themselves. Their travel
arrangements are often made for them.”
Not knowing the customs and standards in a foreign country could
pose serious consequences, the releases note.
They also warn that an arrest or accident could result in a
difficult or medical condition.
The releases further explain that alcohol and drug use or abuse
could result in, and increase the risk of, rape, injury, death and
jail time.
For first-year art student Madeline Dewey, who will be traveling
to Mexico during spring break, the warnings do not seem
frightening. Rather, she said it was knowing other people who have
been arrested in Mexico that has made her more conscious of the
risks in a foreign country.
“I don’t think warnings will have much effect on
me,” Dewey said. “Hearing it from other people scares
me.”
Each year, about half of the more than 2,500 U.S. citizens
arrested abroad are detained for narcotics charges.
In Cancun, a vacation hot spot that each year sees more than
100,000 American teenagers and young adults during spring break,
drug possession, importation, purchase and use can result in
imprisonment without bail for up to a year.
Mexico, a popular spring break getaway, is expecting an increase
in tourists this year.
More police officers will be deployed during the break,
according to Gabriel Huerta, an office administrator for the
Mexican Tourism Board in California.
He said said in general there have been more arrests in Mexico
as the number of tourists increase.
Different offenses bring about different consequences, according
to Huerta. One may receive a warning, be fined or go to jailed.
For example, if a person is caught drinking on the street, they
would generally be asked to go back to their hotel room
peacefully.
Confronting officers may result in jail time in a place that is,
as Huerta said, “not very comfortable.”
More serious offenses include drug possession.
“You will need a lawyer for that,” Huerta said.
Drug possession and use is one of the worst offenses a person
can commit in Mexico. The police strictly deal with those who do
not follow the laws that they are informed of upon entering the
country, according to Arthur Carey, the reservation manager of the
Web site Mexico Spring Break.
Carey added that a misconception some people have is that the
police can be bribed.
“You can’t always give them a buck,” Carey
said. “If you do and get away with it, you’re extremely
lucky.”
He said although police officers do make money on the side, they
are less likely to yield to bribes.
According to Aeron Wilson, the supervisor of Student Travel
Association, students traveling to Mexico get in trouble when they
do not pay attention to what they do ““ with mixed
consequences.
“I think what really gets students in trouble is when they
drink too much or yell too loud,” Wilson said. “You
just have to keep it under control.”
Incidents ranging from falling off balconies to overnight jail
detention have occurred.
She further noted that although there are many people drinking
and the situation is hard to control, the police do fine people and
enforce Mexican law.
“They like to scare (violators),” Wilson said.
“They will throw you in jail.”
STUDENT TRAVEL ADVISORY
Original by ADAM BROWN/Daily Bruin Web adaptation by CHRISTINE
TAN/Daily Bruin