Are Drugs on Cruise Ships on the Rise?

[Salty Dawg]

Per Aol Travel...

 

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/02/17/are-drugs-on-cruise-ships-on-the-rise/?icid=main%7Cclassic%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk1%7C202388

[Pam in CA]

Interesting in light of a recent thread.

[Putterdude]

I have only been aware of marijuana being smoked on one occasion aboard ship...as for other drugs, I have no idea what goes on in peoples' cabins and frankly don't care to know.

[Roses2]

From the tenor of recent posts on this subject and in light of the article cited, it would appear that some folks might be in for an unwelcome surprise.

[nabby]

I have wondered how much drug trafficking (as opposed to recreational use) goes on in the cruise world. It sounds like more than we want to know. I think the medicinal issue will come up more and more as states continue to make it legal. People who are using probably think of it as a prescription and don't realize that on a federal level it is still illegal.

[highflyingrealtor]

An agent with a dog will win every time. They do a great job and we should all be glad they're there.

[Woobstr112G]

An agent with a dog will win every time. They do a great job and we should all be glad they're there.

 

We are very glad.....

 

Bob

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm not going to stop taking my Claritin on the ship. ;)

[kitty9]

There is a recent discussion about a Allure charter where drug use was said to be rampant. Some guy was apparently selling a lot out of his cabin. How stupid is one to do this? I've been on cruises where the enforcement agents and their dogs were on board the ship, and I've personally seen people being hauled off in handcuffs. I've also been in line to go through Customs and had the dogs sniffing everyone's luggage, and I saw a couple pulled out of line when the dog was barking like crazy. There's also been a lot of talk about crew members transportation drugs, and not just marijuana. I'm guessing the lure of money will cause people to do anything.

[BroncosFan2010]

I think drug use in general is on the rise, so it would not surprise me if it is starting to be more prevalent on cruise ships. With the state of the economy, the unemployment rate, and the fact that people often turn to drugs and alcohol to make them feel better, it would not surprise me if this is true. I am a psychologist and addictions therapist and I know that the residential facility I work for has a waiting list all the way out to mid April for people wanting to detox and do a residential recovery program. The list grows every day.

[Taxguy77]

I'd be willing to bet there's less usage on cruiseships than in your local highschool.

[TICruiser]

While use is undoubtedly on the rise for the reasons mentioned in Broncofans post, I'd be willing to bet it was already pretty high. But I do think detection techniques have also improved and with the way information is transmitted it probably seems like drug use onboard cruise ships has exploded more so than it actually has.

[Happy ks]

I'd be willing to bet there's less usage on cruiseships than in your local highschool.

 

 

According to what my kids told me, high school students where they went to school would openly sell stuff right in front of teachers and campus supervisors. They were so bold about it, probably why they didn't look suspicious.

 

We have had 2 instances with drugs onboard a ship. Once, they made us exit the elevator, since they were escorting a young man off the ship in San Pedro, the hotel manager told us it was marijuana. Another time we saw some customs officials talking to people in line and they put a joint in a young womans suitcase. They explained to the crowd how they were checking to make sure the drug dogs were catching it. You should have seen those dogs go crazy when she walked close to them.

 

I have no idea why people put their life and security into jeapordy like this guy selling drugs onboard the ship. Stupid.

[GXmanDC]

Getting caught with illegal drugs is one thing, getting caught bringing it into the country, like in St. Thomas, is a lot worse I imagine. I was on the cruise where that dealer was arrested in St. Thomas. We did not know about it until we got back to Florida and went online. I did not see a lot of high people, but I imagine I run with a different crowd.

 

I'm not surprised that the recreational users bring it on board, they party with them every weekend. Why would a cruise be different? I have two brothers in law enforcement who are currently on drug enforcement detail. They have some shocking stories to tell. They catch teachers, kids, doctors, preachers, all kinds of people you would not expect.

 

I understand that dogs can smell the pot, but what about the pills or other forms? I am supportive of more screening. It would be horrible to be on a ship where someome took too much and died.

[Happy ks]

I wonder if drug smuggling problems will be to cruise ships as noro virus is to cruise ships. Put a couple of news items out there and people think it's all due to cruise ships ;)

 

I think the guy who got busted on Allure was just thinking he'd make up his cruise fare. The others who got busted were mules, pretty stupid. But I seem to recall the lady with the shoes was a long time ago, it didn't seem as recent as last year. None of them will see freedom for a while, but there is always another behind them willing to take a chance and make some bucks.

 

I for one am happy to see the stepped up security measures.

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

Never smelled anyone smoking weed on any of my 12 cruises. Witnessed it being smoked on a couple of islands but never on a ship.