Most drug-abuse experts and historians agree that we are inthe declining phase of a drug epidemic that began about 30 yearsago. Still, drug abuse remains one of the nation's criticaldomestic problems, linked to crime, neglect of children, familyviolence, incomplete education, homelessness, AIDS, high healthcare costs, urban decay, and diminished economic competitiveness.Until we reduce the current level of addiction and the experimentationthat leads many people to that end, individual tragedies andprofound social problems will continue to undermine the qualityof our lives.
Most people are poor judges of their own susceptibility to addiction.. . . [Full Text of this Article]
Current Policies -- Progress and Problems
The Problems with Legalization
The Effect on Use
The Effect on Crime and Other Social Costs
Preventing Increased Drug Use by Children and Adolescents
Marijuana and Other Drugs
Better Possibilities for Change
Expanded and Improved Treatment
Improved Prevention
Modification of Existing Laws
More Research
References
Related Letters:
The War on Drugs
Chilcoat H. D., Schwartz R. H., McCarthy J. J., Milman D. H., Voth E. A., DuPont R. L., Grinspoon L., Bakalar J. B., Kleber H. D.
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N Engl J Med 1994;
331:126-128, Jul 14, 1994.
Correspondence
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