Apparently a lot of "backpackers" are taking drugs?

[sigmoid]

According to this article:

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi ... _page=true

there are many travellers, especially "backpackers", who indulge in drug-taking whilst on holiday in Southeast Asia.

Frankly speaking I find this shocking and a bit hard to swallow.

Who in their right mind would risk jail-time, execution, death, injury and/or insanity in order to experiment with narcotics and other assorted nefarious substances in foreign lands?

[MoodyMac]

Is this some sort of new trend? I have never heard of such a thing! I hope the police crack down on this nefarious activity before it becomes popular.

[Alex]

I find it unacceptable and irrational as well, but I don't know how you can still be shocked about it. I mean, if you've ever walked around in an area where backpacker hostels are located, you should have noticed the smell. Plus guys running about offering you all sorts of stuff.

[Juan King]

. I mean, if you've ever walked around in an area where backpacker hostels are located, you should have noticed the smell.

I always thought that was just B.O.

[cambod]

I think that article is just misinformed.

Drugs?
Backpackers?
SEasia?

I am SHOCKED as well.

Nobody would really be stupid enough to do drugs while backpacking in a foreign country?

I'm thinking of moving back home if this is in fact some sort of new trend.I'll stand for none of it!

[PenhMan]

Next thing you know drug addled backpackers will walk out on bar bills. But if the next next thing happens, I'm out of here: when the guys wear tribal skirts, baggy pants and colourful scarves -- and then beat down vendors for 500 riels. Bye bye!

[ken svay]

We saw the quintisential(?) back packer the other night striding towards the riverside on 136.
The tuk tuks and motos were amazed by him.
Huge dark dreads,no shoes or shirt and almost no arse at all in his jeans cut off below the knee.
Whether he used drugs or not was hard to tell,he certainly had a minimum of denim where his pockets should have been.

[tuk-tukfish]

I find it unacceptable and irrational as well, but I don't know how you can still be shocked about it. I mean, if you've ever walked around in an area where backpacker hostels are located, you should have noticed the smell. Plus guys running about offering you all sorts of stuff.

[giblet]

Whether he used drugs or not was hard to tell,he certainly had a minimum of denim where his pockets should have been.

[xtreme]

[andyinasia]

Yaay, that's EXACTLY the thought going through my mind. There was me thinking they carried beans in those backpacks. Young people eh? It would never happen in our day.

[davidcunderwood56]

It's up to the individual what they want to do. Taking drugs is hardly a new thing and I'm sure there are many people who indulge. There are always stories of people dying, going to jail, but it's not a risk I would want to take, but if others wanted to, who am I to get in their way?! It's up to them. I certainly wouldn't worry myself about it too much.

[cambod]

.... Taking drugs is hardly a new thing and I'm sure there are many people who indulge. ...

If it's not a new thing, how come I've never heard of this behavior before?

[BubbaRamDas]

Cause you don't pay attention, is why.
If you were, you'd noticed the evil gleam in their eyes, caused by drugs. They are all crazed by grass and other addicting drugs, as is known to authorities everywhere.

[cambod]

Cause you don't pay attention, is why.
If you were, you'd noticed the evil gleam in their eyes, caused by drugs. They are all crazed by grass and other addicting drugs, as is known to authorities everywhere.

I'm just not buying it...