Diario Libre highlights the issue of the Dominican Republic’s strict drug
laws, and the fact that many tourists are unaware of their rigid nature.
Tough penalties for visitors who break the law can have a negative impact on
the country’s image. For this reason, information about the drug laws are to be made available at all tourist venues so that foreigners are not misled
into committing drugs offences. Law 105-87 was passed in 1988, making it obligatory for all tourism-related businesses to have this information ready
for their customers. Tourism Minister Rafael Suberv? Bonilla yesterday announced the publication and distribution of a leaflet describing the
details of these laws, which will be aimed chiefly at incoming flights. An example given in the article is the case of a young Canadian tourist who was
sentenced to 10 years in prison for the possession of half a marijuana joint.