Sorry for any cross-posting
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We are very proud to announce the 30th issue of our Policy Briefs:
"Two worlds of Drug Consumption in Late Modern Societies" by Irmgard
Eisenbach-Stangl, Jacek Moskalewicz, Betsy Thom
Abstract:
Europeans belong to the largest consumers of illicit drugs, absorbing
about one fifth of the global heroin, cocaine and cannabis supply, as
well as one third of ecstasy production (UNODC World Drug report, 2008).
However, the vast majority of Europeans have never tried any illicit
substance. In popular perception, illicit drugs still represent alien
cultures challenging traditional European patterns, including
consumption of our favourite drugs – alcoholic beverages. Illicit
drug-taking, no matter what type of drug and its amount, is considered
an evil in itself; it is regarded as a serious transgression of social
norms. This perception is perpetuated and reinforced by legal norms
which – in most European countries – penalize a wide range of behaviours
associated with illicit drugs. As a rule, this includes the possession
and consumption of illegal drugs. Parallel to that, most European
countries have established extended drug services dealing with
drug-related problems in a more assimilative way.
More: http://www.euro.centre.org/detail.php?xml_id=1650
Please feel free to forward the Policy Brief to people who might be
interested.
Best regards,
Annette Hexelschneider, Dipl.-Ing.
Head of Knowledge and Information Management Support Unit
European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research
Berggasse 17
A-1090 Vienna (Austria)
Tel: +43-1-319 45 05-23
Fax: +43-1-319 45 05-19
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http://www.euro.centre.org
http://www.euro.centre.org/hexelschneider
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