Most of us have had something to say about the plight of the 14-year-old Australian boy arrested for marijuana possession ($28 worth) in Indonesia this week.
Some of it has been genuine shock and concern. Some of it has been of the ‘not another bloody Australian tourist on drug charges‘ variety. It’s safe to say the jury’s out on a collective national emotion.
And while the boy and his parents wait to see what will come of him (he could be allowed to return home to rehabilitate or he could be sentenced to six years’ jail, in any case a decision isn’t likely for weeks) attention has turned to the broader point: what the hell is wrong with us?
You would imagine that any Australian diplomat posted to a place such as Phuket would spend most of their time arranging ambulances for guys called Wazza who ploughed their Vespa into the back of a tuktuk after 14 bottles of Singha, safe in the knowledge that our Government can save them from their own stupidity.
David Penberthy
One of the best columns of the past few years was written by the former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer when he hilariously dismantled the mindset of the so-called “Beer Mat Mum“, Annice Smoel, who was accused of swiping a beer mat from a bar in Thailand and immediately demanded that the Australian Government do something about it.
Downer provided the following reflections on his arrival in the foreign affairs portfolio in 1996 and the responsibilities it entailed:
“After about 10 minutes as foreign minister I was a little surprised to learn I was `responsible’ for miscreant Australians who got into trouble in foreign countries.
“No, no, no, don’t get it wrong – drug traffickers, drunks, kleptomaniacs and fraudsters weren’t responsible for their own stupidity – I was.
“It’s about time that great nanny in Canberra, the Federal Government, turned around and told people they are responsible for their own decisions.”
It’s an interesting thought.
What’s the most stupid thing you’ve done overseas … and have you been caught?
Top Comments
I’m left with a few questions after reading about this unfortunate young Australian boy. Were his parents aware that he bought marijuana in Indonesia? Did his parents or anyone tell him the harsh consequences of possessing marijuana in Indonesia? Is the Australian Embassy helping him? Has the Embassy or his family found legal aid for the teenager within Indonesia? My current home is Thailand where tourists are constantly arrested for violating marijuana laws in Thailand out of ignorance. However, I haven’t come across a story in Thailand about a juvenile with this quantity of marijuana being tried as an adult. The bottom line is to know and respect the laws of foreign countries before traveling. Being young is not an excuse, even though this kid probably couldn’t comprehend that his possession could lead to arrest. Tourists have to understand that each country has their own laws and harsh penalties.
I have to admit I was so judgemental when this story broke, thinking " How COULD this boy be SO stupid!'. But then I reflect on my 3 years living overseas and travelling Europe and I remember many many s.t.u.p.i.d things I have done. Such as
- In Barcelona, after one of those horrible pub crawls things where they shoot tequila down your throat every 5 minutes, I met a local who offered to drive me back to my hostel. I was soooooo tanked, in a strange city and this guy seemed nice so thought it would be easier than trying to find my own way back (most of the other pub crawlers had already gone back). So I jump in this guys car. Now how stupid and naieve is that!
The next day I wake up and I am in his bed (fully clothed thank god). He told me I passed out in his car and he brought me back to his place....ok. He still seemed really nice so I wasnt scared but I was just thinking what an idiot I am to be in such a situation. He walked me to the train station and told me how to get back into the city. The train took an HOUR. I had ended up AN HOUR out of barcelona in some random suburb with a stranger....stupid alright!
- And you woulf think I would learn my lesson from that right? Well about a year or so later I went travelling to Cape Town SA. I accepted a lift from a stranger when I was walking down from Table Mountain because I didnt feel like walking. He drove me back down and then pestered me to go to the beach with him. After I politely and repeatedly declined his offer there was a moment there that I thought he was going to trap me in his car and drive off somewhere. He had a strange expression in his eyes, like he was deciding what to do with me. The scariest moment of my life. Luckily he let me out of his car and that was that.
So, yeah this Aussie boy made a ridiculously STUPID decision...but who am I to make judgements...I was a good 10 years older than he is when I made my those stupid decisions above (and I am sure many others).