Drugs in Bali-popular choices, official policy, punishments

Drugs are available in Bali if you really must have them. I am not a drug user so don’t have inside info on the drug scene, but from I can gather marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine are the 3 drugs of choice for foreigners. In my experience Balinese locals are not into drugs, that’s not to say some of them don’t indulge, but it not that common.

If we include alcohol and tobacco as drugs, then we see there is much wider use. Alcohol is freely available in Circle K, Mini Mart, supermarkets, as well as hotels and restaurants. It is legal to drink in public and there is no age limit.

Most Balinese women do not drink or smoke. Many Balinese men smoke and /or drink. Local alcoholic beverages include tuak (palm beer) , arak (palm wine) and brem (palm brandy). Arak is sold in many bars and restaurants as well as supermarkets and there are 3 levels. You can pick up a bottle of the cheapest stuff for 20,000rp. Its quite nasty, but if you want to make cheap drink it will work.

Bali attracts a lot of alternative minded people, from travelers, surfers, hippies, trinket trade wannabies and so forth. Smoking a joint is part and parcel of daily life for many of these people in their home country. Some try to continue this in Bali, which is a really bad idea, since marijuana is illegal. On the street in Kuta and Legian you will come across people trying to sell you marijuana and hashish, actually showing you it in their palm. These guys
are looking to entrap you and you will be arrested soon after buying from them.

In the nightlife scene you will find people in bars and clubs offering ecstacy. The way it works here is if someone is selling something inside a place you’ve got to think someone else has given them permission. Chances of getting busted here are less, by why risk it. Cocaine is also around in the expat / party scene for those who like to live dangerously. All these drugs will get you thrown in jail. For how long? Who knows. Depends on the drug, the amount, the judge, what you tell him, what kind of a Solution you find.

There is a French guy, Michael Blanc who is doing life for importing hashish, and 7 young Aussies who are looking at life for exporting heroin. They’ll give you 10-20 years for ‘possession’ in worst case scenario’s. If you wind up in Kerobokan jail, you will become a ‘money cow’ for the people in charge. You want something from the outside, you pay, you want a better cell, you pay. They are happy to see you stay in there, easy money for them. Don’t be silly, don’t do drugs.

If you get caught with drugs your best bet is to say as little as possible, ask to contact your consulate and speak with a lawyer. Do not sign a statement without the presense of your lawyer. Someone in jail once told me that if you have $20,000 handy, you might be able to find a ‘Solution’, but you’d better do it quick, because once the legal process starts, it becomes harder to stop. (I don’t know what drug prices are in Bali because I don’t use drugs sorry).

Gili Trawangan has the reputation of being a party spot where mushroom shakes and marijuana are freely available. My impression of that place was it is more of a diving spot, than a party spot. Sure you have nice places but its not as wild as its made out to be. Regarding drugs I’d say that in my 4 days there I was not offered anything, or did I see any cops. Often times Indonesian cops don’t wear a uniform so you still run the risk of getting nabbed. Nevertheless, Gili Trawangan in some people’s minds is an oasis of drug consumption, when compared to mainland Lombok.

Indonesian President SBY has said he will not give clemency to anyone assocaite with the drug trade, underlining Indonesia’s strict approach.