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DRUGS AND SAFER PARTYING
It is very easy to get the impression that recreational drug possession and use is legal in Ibiza. It is not.
'Chems' or recreational drug use and possession is as illegal in Ibiza, as it is almost everywhere else on the planet. The penalties in Spain range from a caution for being found with a pill/cocaine for personal use, to twelve years in prison for trafficking/dealing.
Some pointers for consideration if you intend indulging in some chemically aided recreation.
• Buying drugs
• Using
• Clubbing on Drugs
• Chillin out and coming down
• Drugs and HIV medication
• Drugs resources and links
If you have never been involved in recreational drug use, you will on the whole never be aware that it exists. But you may find your self wondering -
• How anyone could make it out clubbing five nights in one week without sleep.
• Why only you can smell the stink from 6,000 sweaty bodies dancing in a relatively confined space.
• What the club scene is all about?
This is a normal reaction.
Over the past fifteen years the gay scene has been determined to grow up with drugs as an integral part of clubbing life, and many go to Ibiza to simply do more of what they do at home, but with a vengeance.
Coke, speed, 'E', 'K' and dope being the commonly used substances (and a few hundred thousand sleeping tablets for staff that know they have to sleep at some point.)
'Trouble' is uncommon and usually alcohol related, although I have seen some great 'come down' bust ups between soon to be ex-lovers.
There is one exception, in the Sa Penya area of the old town, outside of the Dalt Vila walls: The resident population harbours a serious smack problem. Keep away from any streets behind Calle De La Virgen, up towards the walls - especially after dark.
Ibiza is generally 'well stocked' on all fronts, and there is probably enough 'k' consumed in one season to anaesthetise the whole of Spain's pig population.
Most staff would not be seen dead without a serious coke habit and work the summer on it, and or speed, (some die trying) and 'K' is very popular with those visiting from Europe, (not too good with booze or sunstroke) 'E' has defiantly become a 'tourist class' drug. Crystal meth is popular with visiting Americans. (Is this a 'fashion' thing?)
Buying Drugs
If you are tempted to take drugs with you, punters are stopped in the airports. The penalties for smuggling drugs are high and security in airports is higher than it has ever been since 9/11.
Attempting to buy drugs in the streets, especially around the harbour area, almost always leads to being arrested or being ripped off. NEVER follow a supposed dealer into side/back streets. If you are intent on buying drugs, ask some one who lives/works there.....
The Police in Ibiza randomly stop people for suspected drug use/possession. Throughout the year they catch hundreds (read the Ibiza Online newsletter, for weekly reports of arrests).
To avoid any aggravation, It is best not to carry drugs of any kind around Ibiza Town (including HIV medication, it has been known to cause confusion, and will piss you off if you are 'questioned' about them.)
Using drugs.
Prepare for a big night out, by eating and resting properly, many binge on the first two nights and are then physically unable to face the big club parties later in the week.
The more that you mix your drugs, the less predictable the effects, (especially mixing with alcohol). If you are feeling down, recreational drugs are likely to make you feel worse and add to your problems - you are supposed to be on holiday.
Some drugs are highly addictive. But, enjoying the feelings experienced when taking those that are not classed as addictive, can in itself become very addictive.
Those users that are addicted, generally deny it, ask any alcoholic or smoker.
The average 'MDMA' content of all of the 'E' confiscated in Ibiza in 2001 was 30%.
The average coke dealer when arrested in Ibiza, is found in possession of 40g of bathroom cleaner. Enough to keep the hotel toilet cleaner supplied for a week.
Drugs and Clubbing.
Doing different drugs to everyone else can leave you feeling like you are on the wrong planet, what should have been a great experience can soon become a paranoid experience.
Do not be tempted to take chems for the first time in the middle of a club, in the middle of nowhere, especially when you are already pissed (drunk) on booze.
Stay aware of the amount you are drinking, or chems you are taking. Most club drugs will dehydrate you and, with the heat/humidity in Ibiza, excessive booze can cause serious problems. If you end up in hospital it is expensive, and your holiday insurance will not cover you for substance abuse.
'K' is great for making you puke, putting your lungs, and you to sleep - permanently.
The more 'E' you take, the more you will need to reach the same high. In the second week it is cheaper to get drunk.
Try not to overdo it. Lack of sleep and food, and too many chems will fuck your immune system. What should have been a mild cold can easily become something much worse to deal with. If you have done it before, have you forgotten how bad the comedowns are?
Make sure you drink enough water. Even if the local water did not taste disgusting, almost all club taps are switched off, so you will need a reasonable amount of cash for bottled water (which can cost more than Gin in the clubs).
Checking out a club sober will soon give you an Idea of what 'state' you can get into on holiday.
People do get killed, most weeks in summer, trying to cross the road between Privilege/Amnesia. Most who get injured are off there face, take care ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING.
Sex and Drugs.
Getting off your face, especially on booze, can lead to careless sex, you could infect (re-infect) yourself with anything.
If you do get twatted, you can get much rougher than you ever thought possible (the sedative effect of some chems reducing pain sensations) be extra careful with condoms, and your ribs.
If you go cruising off you face in the early hours, go with a mate or two, try not to look like a target for muggers and the occasional rapist.
VIAGRA and POPPERS can kill you - (if not directly, when you fall off a cliff through fainting...) you should never mix them.
Use more lube than usual. If you have a dry mouth, the inside of your arse is going to be even dryer.
If you do an 'odge', and grab the first person you fancy, (i.e. bugger off with a strangers at the first opportunity), introduce them to your mates first, get to meet their mates, It may help change the odds of someone deciding to rob you or not.
Chillin out and coming down.
If you go to chill out, keep out of the sun, being off your face will impair your ability to judge when you have blistered from sunburn. Aging ten years in one go is not fun.
It is not unusual to see people smoking a joint in a quiet little corner, if you look for it, but like most places, sat rolling out side a coffee bar at mid day is bound to attract trouble.
Have a couple of days off between clubs. Get a tan - it can be quite attractive.
It helps to have something to do that you are looking forward to in a couple of days time (getting off of your face again does not count).
HIV+ and Drugs
Some HIV medication (especially Ritonivir) can make you hyper sensitive to :
'E' - Viagra - Heroin - Valium - Tamazepam - GHB as well as some antihistamines and all sorts available from the chemist.
I have personal experience of losing two days from taking one antihistamine for mozzi bites.
Be very careful. Detailed information is available from http://www.hiv-druginteractions.org.
Check with an HIV/AIDS help-line for more information.
Drugs related links
Please visit the links below for further information on drug effects, drug use and abuse as there is no point in me retyping the info here.
National Drugs Help line - Ask a real person advice by email.
Volts Of Erowid - mental, entertaining.
DrugScope - detailed drug information covers everything.
Trashed - Aimed at under 25's straight to the point.
Release - Drug related legal issues.
Drug Interactions listings
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