I'm sure selection bias is a part of it. A story about someone horribly damaging themselves out of, say, Somalia probably isn't going to get the same reporting or traction. "Russian guy blah, blah, blah" is a different story. Case in point, the article mentions that this drug is popular in Britain so where are the horror stories from Britain? That being said, I wouldn't fight too hard against a meme stereotype that you're a bunch of super tough guys. Same reason I don't offer much resistance to the meme that all Aussies are hard nuts dodging snakes and spiders constantly. There are worse reputations to have.