Below we can see that US and the Netherlands are comparable in terms of legal drugs although some differences remain as I explain below.
Prohibition seems to increase its (whatever it is that is prohibited) use multifold. Additionally I have to say however that there are important institutional, cultural and habitual differences between the US and the Netherlands:
For example; bars and nightclubs, where alcohol is consumed and cigarettes are smoked, among other things, have far longer open hours in the Netherlands then their American counterparts. Alcohol consumption in the Netherlands is much more a tradition and culturally accepted. It is not unusual for a brick layer or carpenter to have one or two beers with lunch same goes for lawyers and accountants who enjoy a glass of wine etc. with their lunch. Legal drinking age in the Netherlands is 16 years but even then, it is rarely checked or enforced, legal age for cigarettes is also 16. Also, drinking in public is completely legal at all times. In general and because of the above; young people in the Netherlands enjoy 'the nightlife' earlier than in the US. By they are already very experienced with cigarettes and alcohol. Then these young adults want to experience more. We can fortunately see that this lifestyle does not last very long, except (of course) with alcohol and cigarette consumption (reason; alcohol is 'in the ways' and cigarettes are the most addictive substance known to man):
P. Cohen: "Dutch drug policy and some outcomes. A history and comparisons with US data" April 2002, Rice University, James Baker 3, Conference "Moving beyond the War on Drugs"
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Author of LegaliseIt.com empirical note; Data on comparative Heroin use is still missing. As are related problems such as transmittal of diseases caused by needle sharing from intra venous drug use. We hope to have comparative data on this soon. However, I can say that what research has told me; In the Netherlands heroin is mainly used in the (5) big cities and due to the low price the preferred method of administration is inhalation. This circumvents and mitigates the problem of HIV and Hepatitis-C contractions from needle sharing. On LSD and Methamphetamines I can say that these substances are virtually unavailable in the Netherlands. In other words; there is no measurable use. This fact may stem from Dutch drugs policy which tolerates sales of psychedelic mushrooms and peyote over the counter, and cultivation for personal use including marijuana/cannabis. Any adult in the Netherlands can cultivate up to 5 plants without any reason. A medical reason or prescription is not needed. Since March 17th, 2003, Dutch pharmacies nationwide have medical marijuana on their shelves for sale to patients who have a prescription.Sources; Office of Applied Studies, SAMSHSA, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1998 Abraham et al., Centre for Drug Research (CEDRO), Office: Wibautstraat 4, Room D5.26, 1091 GM Amsterdam The Netherlands, mail address: postbox 94208, 1090 GE Amsterdam, email: pcohen@cedro-uva.org tel: +1-31-20-525 4278, fax +1-31-20-525 4317, World Wide Web: http://www.cedro-uva.org (with a large selection of original CEDRO reports and publications in Dutch, English and other languages).
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