In the 19th century, a strong anti-alcohol ideology was an important element of Dutch working class movements for emancipation. As in the United States, alcohol was depicted as destroying families and was seen as a problem for the working class. Working class political activity over the last 150 years has left a legacy of welfare and social security systems in Europe. In contrast to the United States, the Netherlands and most other industrialized democracies in Europe have relatively well-developed social legislation that strengthens the socioeconomic position of those who have the weakest position in capitalist systems. The drug of most concern in the Netherlands is heroin. Researchers estimate the number of heroin addicts in Amsterdam is between 3,000 and 4,700, or between 0.5 and 1 percent of the age cohort over 12 years. Despite this low prevalence, public concern about heroin use has been high since the early 1970s because heroin is associated with poverty and the lowest social classes. Heroin has replaced alcohol as the drug of primary concern, and heroin serves as a harsh reminder of the existence of many underprivileged people. The social welfare infrastructure in the Netherlands has quickly adapted to the phenomenon of regular heroin use. Health care for addicts, economic support, housing assistance, and child care have been made available, with the objective of stabilizing the lives of heavy heroin users and integrating them into the community. The use of crack and cocaine in the Dutch context is discussed, and differences between drug policies in the Netherlands and the United States are noted. 14 references and 10 notes