METHANOL POISONING: This is a real issue and it happens regularly in Indonesia to locals and tourists alike. You only have to do a Google™ search for “methanol Bali Gili Trawangan” to see how recent and dangerous this can be. We recommend only drinking bottled beer or Smirnoff Ice™ etc. and make sure these drinks are opened in front of you. Other famous brands of spirits are available to buy from some shops at considerably high prices due to Indonesia’s high import tax on foreign alcohol. This is why bootlegged booze is so abundant. The IFSP (International Federation of Spirit Producers) state that over 50% of ALL spirit alcohol in Indonesia is counterfeit. That is a staggering amount of fake vodka, whiskey, gin, rum etc. in circulation. A lot of foreign media have been wrongly reporting this as “drink spiking” where in fact it is actually fake booze being re-bottled into brand name and local bottles. Local drinks known as Arak should also be avoided as this is homemade and not tested to see if it contains Methanol (bad) or Ethanol (good-ish).
So we strongly recommend you stick to this rule,
IF YOU CAN’T OPEN IT YOURSELF, DON’T DRINK IT !
IF YOU CAN’T OPEN IT YOURSELF, DON’T DRINK IT !
And, as in Liam’s case, just because it is poured from an imported spirits bottle this doesn't guarantee it’s authentic.
The business people of Gili Trawangan have also responded by forming an organization called Asosiasi Pengusaha Gili Trawangan (APGT), or the Gili Trawangan Business Association, on 16 February 2013. The purpose of the Association is to control the quality of the drinks sold by the bars, restaurant and hotels on Gili Trawangan. The Association involves island authorities, local residents and businesses in Gili Trawangan who will work with government agencies such as the Department of Tourism, BPOM, and police to control the sales of alcohol and drugs on the island.
Restaurants, bars and hotels which adhere to the rules of the association will display this sticker (below) confirming that the business sells controlled alcohol purchased from authorized suppliers and does not sell drugs, arak or any illegally brewed alcohol.
If you or one of your friends thinks they may have consumed methanol, here are some signs, symptoms and the recommended treatment while you wait for medical services.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Your hangover gradually gets worse, not better. Do not attempt to sleep it off on your own, have someone stay in the room with you who has not been drinking.
Signs of Methanol poisoning include all or some of the following:
.Vomiting
.Diarrhea or abdominal pain (severe)
.Headache (severe)
.Low Blood Pressure
.Dizziness or Disorientation
.Blush-coloured lips & fingernails
.Agitated Behavior
.Blurred Vision or Blindness
.Breathing Difficulties
.Convulsion or Seizures
.Coma
.DEATH !!
Treatment:
Seek medical attention immediately
Tell them you suspect “Methanol Poisoning”
DRINK A GENUINE HIGH QUALITY ALCOHOLIC SPIRIT (YES!! It sounds crazy but it’s true.) The ethanol in the genuine spirit will delay the processing by your body of the methanol already consumed. This will buy you some time before proper medical attention is received.
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This advice is brought to you by www.boatstogili.com and the LIAM Charitable Fund Australia in Indonesia.
