Sex n Drugs n Rock n Roll

Starting a separate topic here, while typing this, I noticed it got too long
You can ask your questions about drugs, crime, safety here.
With useful links and attached documents at the bottom

Like said before; the no.1 crime in Amsterdam is, bicycle theft, should you rent a bike, do pay extra for the insurance, lock your rental bikes down, shackle them to something. Or else they're gone, man
Pickpockets is probably no.2, but something you should really be aware of. One tends to get very distracted in Amsterdam, for all kinds of reasons ;-), and may not notice when someone steal your bag, wallet, and what not.
Amsterdam, like most major cities, is very attractive for con artists, be very aware, keep your eyes on your luggage or bags at all time. Carry your backpack in front of you. Don’t carry your handbag on the street side; kids on mopeds will grab them, and ride off.
Have some common sense; don’t walk into dark alleys, make sure you’re not alone, or that people know where you are, keep money and id in different pockets, don’t buy drugs off the street, don’t talk to strangers, etc, etc
Big warning; Cyclists do not look out for you, you look out for them, and no one gets hurt, Mkay. Really if I could get a dime every time some stupid tourist is moseying along on a bike path, with their little suitcase on weels, aaaaarrrgggggghh.

Oh and the trams, look out for the trams, they have the right of way and will take it.
The road hierachy is as follows;
Taxis
Trams n Busses
Bikes
Cars
Pedestians, trust me, you're at the bottom of the barrel.

Safety - Emergency no. is 112
Amsterdam is not a violent city, but violence does happen. Some are drug related, but usually those are fought out in other neighborhoods, not necessary in the city center. Muggin does happen, but they are so uncommon, they even make the news when they do happen.
You’ll be surprised to find many policemen walking around, they are easy to talk to. Don’t worry, if you are too drunk, or too stoned, you can ask a cop for help. They will get you help if you need it, and advice. Worst case scenario, if you behave rudely, they might hold you in detention overnight to detox. You will either end up with a fine, or a slap on the wrist, but no long jail sentence.

Legal Ages
Drinking; depends on what alcohol you are drinking, under 15% (that’s your beers, wine, and pre-mixed drinks) is 16. Over 15% (your hard liquir, and mixed drinks at a bar) is 18.
Tobacco; it’s 18.
Gambling; 18, the casinos will not grand you access.
Drugs
First off; you really do not have to do drugs, just because you are in Amsterdam. Another thing, don’t mix your substances, stay with one, either get drunk, or get stoned. So please, please, please, be careful.
Also, no matter what you have heard or read; drugs are NOT legal, neither is the soft drugs. They are decriminalized, meaning you will not get arrested for holding a small amount, for personal use. You do however could get a fine if you do smoke your joint in public. The coffee shops, or you home, or your hotel room (if you have a smoking room), are the places to smoke it. Yes you will see people smoking it on the streets, usually tourists, but in theory one could file a complaint against them and they will get a fine.
That said, the legal age to purchase drugs is 18, coffee shops will not sell it to you. I can’t say it enough, don’t buy drugs of the street, it’s crap, it’s poison, it’s dangerous. Buying drugs on the streets is one of the biggest tourist traps, most are fake drugs may contain soap powder, sugar, rat poison or at best crushed vitamin C. Sale of hallucinogenic ‘magic’ mushrooms are banned as of December 1, 2008, but there are still truffles and grow boxes being sold, those are allowed.

Red light district
Ah, the oldest profession in the world, and even though the red light district is as old as Amsterdam, it hasn’t become legal till 2000. It’s well organized; most prostitutes are part of a union, and have to get regular health checks. It’s a fun little neighborhood to walk through, there’s the Asian district nearby, with great restaurants. One warning; do not make pictures of the girls, they do not like that, most girls would like to stay anonymous, and they don’t like to be treated like they’re in a zoo. Unless you’ll pay them, of course. Chances are, if you do take a pic, they, or their pimp will beat you up, and this is the one time when the police will not help you. These are the unwritten rules of the red light district, and everyone keeps them.
There are no good strip clubs in Amsterdam, sorry to say, there is this seedy one, it has live sex shows, don’t remember the name. Then there is Casa Rosa, also live sex shows, and the Banana Bar, again live sex show, and the opportunity to eat a banana out of a girl.

Little fun facts I came across while doing my research
You may sunbath topless in the park, but not nude.
You may have sex in the parks, I guess while not getting nude
But, dogs still have to be on a leash in the park.

Amsterdam n drugs
Red light district info
Why is Amsterdam so tolerant?
Some recommendations from the Amsterdam Police for a safe stay