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Sweaty Ted · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 54 Location: USA

I was talking with a KSA veteran and he told me that he was shocked to discover the high rate of clandestine drinking among the expat teachers. Is this true? He said that many of the expats brew their own beer, distill their own version of bathtub gin or make "pruno" out of grape juice, and spend their nights getting drunk as a way of coping.

He also said that a lot of medications that are only available via prescription in the West are available over the counter in KSA and that many of the teachers he knew developed a habit whilst working there.

Has anyone seen this firsthand? I am not judging, I am just curious. I don't use drugs and I almost never drink alcohol here in the States, so this is not a personal issue. Just wondering if it's a big problem in KSA among expat teachers.

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:30 pm Post subject:

Dear Sweaty Ted,

He was shocked, huh? Guess he never heard of what went on in the US during Prohibition.

And at least when I was there, some drugs that require prescriptions in the States could be bought over the counter.

So, hide you shock - or most of your colleagues will probably think you're some kind of prude.

Regards,
John

Grendal · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

There is a warning in the Saudi Embassy in Ankara that states the punishment for smuggling drugs into Saudi Arabia is capital, and they mean decapitation. But there is no punishment for taking drugs out of Saudi. There seems to be a lot of it there.

Grendal

johnslat · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

Dear Grendel,

If I recall correctly, Valium was one of the prescription in the US drugs you could get over the counter there. Can you confirm - not that a mellow, laid-back guy like you would need it Very Happy

.

Regards,
John

Grendal · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:35 pm Post subject:

al-Californian · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 96