| Show State Department Warns Americans Trave Traveling ing Abroad International Travel Safety US U.S. State Department As the time approaches for summer summer sum sum- summer mer break many college students are getting ready for that much anticipated trip abroad Most will have a safe and enjoyable adventure adventure adventure ture but for some the trip will become a nightmare A number of vacations are ruined by one or more of the following drugs alcohol disorderly behavior and preventable preventable preventable pre pre- accidents Each year more than 2500 American citizens are arrested abroad-about abroad half on narcotic charges including possession of very small amounts of illegal sub sub- stances A drug that is legal in one country may not be legal in a neighboring neighboring neighboring neigh neigh- boring nation Some young people are victimized because they are unaware of the laws customs or standards of the country they arc are visiting Besides drugs alcohol can also cause trouble for US U.S. citizens traveling traveling traveling trav trav- eling abroad Students have been arrested for being intoxicated in public areas for underage drinking and for drunk driving Disorderly or reckless behavior is to be avoid avoid- ed In many countries conduct that would not result in an arrest in the United States may constitute a vio vio- lation of local law Some young Americans go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct believing that they are immune from prosecution in foreign foreign foreign for for- eign countries because they are American citizens The truth is that Americans are expected to obey all of the laws of the countries they visit and those who break these laws could face severe penalties including prison sentences Being arrested is not the only misfortune that can occur on a foreign foreign foreign for for- eign vacation Young Americans have suffered injury or even death from automobile accidents drowning drowning drowning drown drown- ing and falls in addition to other mishaps While these L 11 t chance occurrences many are caused by alcohol or drug abuse Sadly other Americans have been sexually assaulted or robbed because they have found themselves in unfamiliar unfamiliar locales or are inca inca- pable of exercising prudent judgment judgment judg judg- judgment ment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol Other hidden safety issues are of major concern as well Because standards of security ty safety and supervision are not the same in inmany inmany inmany many countries as they are in the United States many young persons have died after automobile accidents accidents accidents acci acci- dents after falls from balconies or orinto orinto orinto into open ditches by drowning in inthe inthe inthe the ocean as well as in hotel pools and in water-sports water mishaps among others In some countries the water sports industry is not carefully reg reg- reg- reg Unlicensed operators have been linked to assaults and a number number num num- ber her of Americans have been killed or injured by the improper use of skis Jet-skis and other personal water- water craft Although it is crucial that young Americans be aware of these safety risks as they are enjoying their time abroad it is also important important important tant to remember that prudent behavior may help to minimize these risks Young Americans traveling abroad should remember that using drugs or alcohol or engaging in reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin their vacation it can land them in a foreign foreign for for- foreign eign jail cause them to suffer physical physical physical phys phys- ical harm or worse Common Commonsense sense should prevail in any activity in which young Americans engage so that safety hazards may be mini mini- It is possible to have a safe and fun trip if risky behavior is avoided and familiarity is attained with the basic laws and customs of the country that is planned on being visited In addition even if a passport is not required to visit a foreign country country country coun coun- try US U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers require that US U.S. citizenship and identity must be proven in order to reenter the United States A US U.S. passport is the best proof of US U.S. citizenship More information about traveling abroad is available at the Department of States State's http trave http ls tate g ov s tu de n ti nf oh t ml |
