Your comparison doesn't make any sense. There are other factors, notably cultural, involved. For example, the praise of individualism in the US (which may encourage reckless behavior), and the limited social security net (poverty increases the risk of substance abuse).
When you control for other factors, the pattern I described emerge. See:
Of course children have to be protected. That's the whole point of education, gradually removing barriers while you teach them (or let them learn) how to get along by themselves. Whether or not the society should have a word on the topic is open for debate. I'm for, to some extent, as you probably guessed.
When you control for other factors, the pattern I described emerge. See:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994....
http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?volume=160&...
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005....
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JA-120025123
There are more if you care to look for them.
Of course children have to be protected. That's the whole point of education, gradually removing barriers while you teach them (or let them learn) how to get along by themselves. Whether or not the society should have a word on the topic is open for debate. I'm for, to some extent, as you probably guessed.