Now that we’re in the thick of schoolies week (the time young Australians basically dedicate to partying after their exams), all we can do is sit back and wait for the reports of hospitalizations and other drunken debauchery to start flowing in, like this story on one Australian teen’s suspected methanol poisoning.
Jackson Tuckwell, a Newcastle teenager was out drinking in Legian on Sunday when he lost his vision and his ability to walk, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Tuckwell had allegedly downed half of a blaster, a supposed mix of vodka, spirits, and pineapple juice that landed him in the emergency room.
Tuckwell has since been discharged from the hospital, however, in response to his health scare, his mother, Tanya Tuckwell is taking the opportunity to caution against the dangers of ‘local drinks’ and drink spiking.
“The message needs to get out there, Bali is a beautiful place, but there is a downside and that is the nightclub scene. It can be very dangerous,” said Tanya Tuckwell, as quoted by the SMH.
After getting that call that is ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’ Tanya Tuckwell also admits it was with reluctance that she let her soon go on the Bali schoolies trip in the first place.
“We didn’t really want him to go to Bali for schoolies, but when all his friends are going, then what can you do.”
Other warnings geared towards schoolies is the reminder that travel insurance may not cover you if you are putting yourself in unnecessary danger i.e. drinking possibly spiked arak. And that’s when you would need the travel insurance most.
Schoolies isn’t exclusively in Bali, it’s actually biggest on Australia’s Gold Coast, but we’re seeing so many this year, as Bali is becoming a boomingly more popular destination for these trips.
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