In a few of my classes we discussed studies about this seeming disconnect between policy and use. One factor these researchers point to is drug education programs. They have drug education programs in the Netherlands, but they're focussed more on responsible use rather than scare tactics. The point is that our country doesn't foster an environment that people really get to learn about drugs and when it is and isn't appropriate to use them. There's no underlying social structure in the US about drugs. But in the Netherlands, their educational programs pretty much match up with the social attitudes toward drugs, so there's more consensus about how to use them and a lot more respect for what drugs can do. Another example researchers point to is about alcohol use. Italy has the highest rate of alcohol use in the world, but one of the lowest alcoholism rates. The reason for this, most researchers say, is that in Italy you learn to drink within your family, so you're educated about it differently, and its' not so stigmatized and
( ... )
Comments 2
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment