Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To celebrate their graduation, Scandinavian students drink while their parents do the
driving.
This is just one example of pragmatic harm reduction motivating drug policy in
Europe. In some parts of Europe, a joint of marijuana causes about as much excitement as
a can of beer. And the Continent's needle junkies are dealt with by nurses, counselors, and
maintenance clinics more than by cops, judges, and prisons. (The European approach to
drug policy is covered in greater length in Chapter 7.)
Perhaps Europe's inclination to be tolerant is rooted in the intolerance of its past. In
the 16th century, they were burning Protestants for their beliefs. In the 18th century, they
were drowning women who stepped out of line as witches. In the 20th century, Nazis were
gassing Jews, Gypsies, and gay people. Now in the 21st century, Europe seems determ-
ined to get human rights, civil liberties, and tolerance issues right. Instead of legislating
morality, Europe legislates tolerance and human rights.
