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Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

During your study abroad program, the illegal use of drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited. The consequences of illegal drug use during your program may include immediate expulsion from the program, loss of all course credit, and full payment of the program fee or worse yet, arrest or imprisonment.

Many countries have a different attitude about the consumption of alcohol and the legal drinking age than the United States does. You may find that the laws of the host country allow persons over the age of 15 or 16 to drink all types of alcoholic beverages and that beer and wine are commonly served with meals. In spite of this, being drunk is not socially acceptable and is sometimes illegal.

Americans abroad are subject to the laws of the host country. Remember that laws concerning illegal drugs are much more severe in Latin American, Asia and Europe than in the United States. If you are caught buying, selling, using, or carrying any type of controlled substance, from marijuana to mescaline, it can mean:

• Interrogation and delays before trial, including mistreatment and solitary confinement for up to one year under very primitive conditions
• Lengthy trials conducted in a foreign language, with delays and postponements
• Two years to life in prison if found guilty, and some countries include hard labor and heavy fines
• The death penalty in a growing number of countries, including Malaysia, Turkey and Thailand
• Mandatory jail sentences for individuals convicted of possessing even small amounts of marijuana or cocaine, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic

Remember, once you leave the United States, you are no longer covered by U.S. laws and constitutional rights. Bail is not granted in many countries when drugs are involved. The burden of proof in many countries is on the accused to prove his or her innocence. Evidence obtained illegally by local authorities may be admissible in court. Few countries offer drug offenders jury trials or even require the prisoner's presence at his/her trial. Many countries have mandatory prison sentences of seven years or more without parole for drug violations.

• University of Minnesota Duluth can assume no responsibility for any student apprehended on a drug charge
• The U.S. Consular Officer cannot demand your immediate release or get you out of jail or out of the country, cannot represent you at trial or give legal counsel, and cannot pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds.

Information from the Department of State Publication 9980, August 1992.