Although there is a limited amount of valid information on the prevalence of police nonmedical drug use, the available data indicate that alcohol and drug use is a serious problem among police officers. The literature suggests that the police subculture may be conducive to officer drug use, as officers themselves have indicated that police tend to use drinking for socializing and stress reduction. Drinking with colleagues can be used to test an officer's loyalty and masculinity. Studies also suggest that alcohol and drug consumption among officers is indirectly related to the job stress factors of depersonalization, authoritarianism, organizational 'protection,' and danger preparation. Overall, the literature indicates that alcohol is the most convenient and socially acceptably coping alternative for police officers. Future studies should increase the accuracy and reliability of incidence studies of police drug use, determine the relation between such use and the sociodemographic characteristics of police forces, and assess the effects of such use on work performance. Recommendations are particularly oriented toward more enlightened departmental policy and prevention programs among Canadian police. 1 figure and 35 references.