DRUGS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

With a very few exceptions such as Colorado, Holland and countries where locally produced 'culturally significant' plants (such as Coca and Khat) are available, the vast majority of 'internationally banned drugs' are exactly that - illegal worldwide and typically carry strict penalties. Despite recent strict rules, you will in your travels virtually always come across some form of internationally banned substance and considering that many 'drugs' in small quantities are no more harmful than a bottle of vodka or pack of cigarettes, will want to try some - perhaps at discount pricing.

When it comes to drugs, you may get ripped off when buying, you maybe robbed under the effects or be sold drugs by a dealer who heads straight to the police for a tip. All are possible; if you do get involved be very, very careful (no responsibility taken here), take drugs in your room, not in public, buy from guesthouse/bar owners never from the street, check out the scene, know what you are doing, don't carry contraband on your person and never, never, never carry anything across international boundaries. All common sense really.

Marijuana.

Most Prevalent In: India/Nepal especially in Goa, mountain regions (e.g.Simla) and tourist hubs like Pushkar. Also in North Africa, especially Morocco/Egypt (Dahab), Thailand's Islands, Indochina, México, Costa Rica, Jamacia, Colombia, Brazil, Southern Africa (especially Malawi) - to name a few.

Things are becoming more regulated, especially in places like Southeast Asia, where some might recall guesthouses leaving bowls of grass out for guests to help themselves! You will come across marijuana in virtually every country worldwide and although not a big deal for many travelers and a wild plant, marijuana can carry strict penalties in some regions that far outweigh its potency. The very fact it is legal throughout most of the world is the perfect excuse for any corrupt low level police office to use it as an excuse for a bribe. Buy, smoke, enjoy, but avoid carrying on your person or being too liberal in where you consume. The same goes even where legal (Holland and parts of the USA).

Cocaine.

Most Prevalent In: Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia & Australia.

Coca leaves and tea are widespread and legal in South America, great for altitude sickness and long treks, but have no real narcotic strength. Even in South America charley is not that easy to come across outside of the major traveller centres and still cut with nasties. It's most widespread on Colombia's Caribbean coast and La Paz (see Bolivia section), as well as Utila in Honduras. Getting involved with Cocaine in South America or anywhere can be risky.

Opium.

Most Prevalent In: Opium is easy to obtain and in fact legal for hill tribes in the golden triangle. In most treks from Chang Mai, Thailand you'll come across it. It is most widespread and easy to obtain in Laos.

Remember this is Opium not Heroin, which anyone with any sense would avoid. Please also consider issues, such as authorities trying to stop hill farmers growing poppies and encourage them to take up other crops: here you are creating a demand.

Hallucinogenics.

Most Prevalent In: Indonesian, Holland, Thai Islands, South America, Mexico and Jamaica.

Generally you will buy your mushrooms and have them made into an omelette. You'll going to have limited knowledge on how strong the effect will be and several people have died taking these mushrooms, normally from going on long swims whilst tripping. Although now technically banned from sale, magic-mushrooms (and weaker - legal - magic truffles) are easily bought over the counter in Dutch 'Smart Shops'.

In South America there are plants and indeed frogs in the jungle that give psychotropic effects and substances likes 'daime' or 'ayahuasca' are not illegal. Both are two names for the same hallucinogenic that are used in rituals. The effect is similar to magic mushrooms, or peyote, or even LSD. Although technically 'safe', if you've had no previous hallucinogenic experiences or not in the right place/mind, you could be considered a little silly to get into this scene abroad especially where illegal. For legal hallucinogenics there are many specific destinations for those who want to participate with support.

Amphetamines, Ecstasy (Molly) and other pills.

Most Prevalent In: Asia, Honduras (Utila), Australia, India (Goa)

Asian pharmacies have very different regulations than in the west. Someone in the know once supplied a huge list of items easily purchased. Don't recall the list and not sure it's a road anyone should go down. The most common pharmacy hits are the 'diet' pills available in Thailand, normally sold by dealers at full moon parties (these now have a large police presence) or passed off as Ecstasy. Realistically, it's not really a good idea to go popping Thai pills you know nothing about that at best give you a rushing around feeling and a few sleepless nights, since they are just basic amphetamine.