ABSTRACT
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands as well as the centre of cultural, intellectual and financial life in the country. Since approximately the year 1300 Amsterdam has city privileges and during the 16th century it became the biggest city of "Holland", thanks to its central role in trade. Amsterdam has a population of 743,000 and a working population of Approx. 400,000, of which 10% works in the information industry. Throughout the centre of Amsterdam there are several "smart shops" where "magic mushrooms", other herbal drugs and "smart drugs" as well as drug paraphernalia, can be bought. Also there are "grow shops" that sell seeds and other equipment to grow marihuana. With regard to drug law enforcement, most arrests in Greater Amsterdam refer to small-scale dealing and possession of hard drugs, in particular cocaine and heroin. The male/female ratio is relatively high among cannabis users and quite modest as far as alcohol and tobacco consumption is concerned.
