Originally Posted by
Phateless
fm1 - las vegas and the netherlands are a bad example because they are the "oasis of compromised values" in a world of relatively tighter values. for example, here in the states, binge drinking is a big problem, especially among young people. over in france, not so much, because people are brought up with alcohol. there is not the need to experiment with it. if people are forbidden something it makes it that much more fascinating.
Good point. Not sure if it holds water. The exception are Russians. See below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../ndrink411.xml
Not scientific, but I think that the younger a person is exposed to vices like alcohol the sooner it is determined if they have an addiction prone personality or traits.
America doesn't like to let the kids experiment until they are of "legal" age. Unfortunately, this is also the same age that people get tried as adults.
The next major hurdle that we will face is gambling addictions. The gambling rules are becoming very lax as states cash in. Easy to regulate, unlike prostitution and illegal drugs.