People openly take drugs overseas

People openly take drugs overseas

You would imagine clubbers popping pills or snorting substances to get high in a darkened toilet cubicle or some place out of sight.

But local DJs say that is not always the case.

DJ Kurt says people would sniff cocaine right in front of him while he is on the deck at overseas gigs in UK and Germany.

It is quite a common sight, he says matter-of-factly.

It is usually cocaine or Ecstasy, he adds.

People also openly take drugs in clubs and on the streets while overseas, says DJ Andrew T, resident DJ of The Butter Factory.

DJ Eclipse, who has gigs in Asia, says it is easy to get drugs in Indonesia and Malaysia.

"They are quite public about it. It's not a secret," says the 27-year-old.

He says that when he walks around the crowd after his sets, he usually notices a few people on drugs.

"It's easy to tell. Just look at their facial expression - their eyes will be rolling."

He has even seen people peddling drugs.

DJ Andrew T says the taking of drugs is not limited to partygoers.

"It's common, I get offered drugs everywhere I go. But I do not touch them."

DJ Kurt, who used to do one to two overseas gigs a month, says: "Some DJs take drugs before going on stage. Some big-name DJs do drugs as well."

The 34-year-old says it is part and parcel of the scene in Europe and that it is an open secret.

"The laws in other countries are different from Singapore. A lot of people do drugs," he says.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is a crime for Singaporeans and permanent residents to take banned drugs, even if they do it in other countries.

When they return to Singapore, they can be subjected to a urine test to detect any illegal narcotics, which can stay in the body for weeks or sometimes months.

Those found guilty of consuming or possessing illegal drugs face up to 10 years' jail or a $20,000 fine, or both.

But you do not need drugs to have a great time, the DJs say.

"The wildness of the party really doesn't depend on drugs. It depends on the crowd at the event and the vibe.

"We have pretty wild events here, without drugs, on a constant basis," says DJ Andrew T.

marielim@sph.com.sg


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