By Erin McCusker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 12, 1998

Trips to Mexico come with familiar dangers

Spring break locked in a Mexican jail cell or in bed with a stomachache may not be quite the party UA students are expecting.

More than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad each year for violating local laws regarding alcohol and public intoxication, according to a Bureau of Consular Affairs report from the State Department.

Many students visiting Mexico overindulge in alcohol because they assume that because the drinking age is lower the atmosphere is more relaxed, the federal report states.

In reality, Americans must abide by the laws of the country they are visiting and those who violate foreign laws may be fined or imprisoned.

Dove Herbstman, a psychology junior, said he is familiar with spring break arrest horror stories.

"My friend was in a club in Mexico and the bathroom line was too long, so he went to the nearest tree to relieve himself," Herbstman said. "All of a sudden, a police officer jumps from the tree and threw him in jail.

"They took all of his money and released him," he added.

Many college students are arrested for being drunk in public and drunken driving, the report states.

Leigh Ann Wiemann, a marketing sophomore, said her friend was arrested in Mexico.

"She was arrested for public intoxication and the cops took her money, then let her go," Wiemann said.

The report states that more than one-third of the 2,500 Americans arrested abroad each year are charged for using or possessing illegal substances.

Americans have been arrested for possessing as little as one-third of an ounce of marijuana, the report states.

Herbstman, who is traveling to Rocky Point, Mexico, with a friend, said he is aware of the dangers of partying in a foreign country.

Herbstman said he is bringing bottled water, his driver license and his passport to avoid complications crossing the border.

Regina Fernandez, an undeclared freshman, said she is also taking precautions for her trip to Mexico. She and her friends are getting Mexican car insurance in case the car gets stolen or hit.

"I'm worried about Mexicans taking advantage of the fact that everyone's going to be drunk," Fernandez said.

She added that since many students are going to Rocky Point, they will have to stay together to avoid trouble.

Herbstman agreed.

"It's important to stick together and walk in groups," he said.

Students should also drink bottled water, said Victor Baker, head of the University of Arizona's Hydrology Department.

He said the quality of water in Mexico varies. Although many parts have high quality standards for water purity, some rural areas have problems in their water supply and distribution, Baker said.

Some organisms in poor-quality water cause stomach distress.

"The safe thing to do is avoid drinking tap water, and use bottled water," Baker said. "This is a normal precaution for travel. People need to be careful and eat well-cooked, well-prepared foods."

Planning on escaping Tucson for Spring Break? Here are the latest temperature conditions for some popular vacation spots:

CITY	        HIGH	LOW

Daytona Beach	   61F	    37F
Lake Havasu City   78F	    48F
Las Vegas	   68F	    51F
Los Angeles	   71F	    57F
Mazatlan, Mexico   79F	    66F
San Diego	   65F	    56F