The analysis includes the development of a transactional model of human judgment applicable to the processing of drug-use information. The model holds that drug use and other health-related judgments consist of a continual processing of information based on organized images about the effects and consequences of various behaviors. Two aspects of judgment that should be given special attention are the personal relevance of drug-related hazard information and the manner in which potential drug use situations are framed by the individual. An effective drug information program should provide target subjects with an increased ability to process drug information on the basis of more 'expert' drug-related images. It should also reduce judgments of personal invulnerability to harmful physical, psychological, and social effects and develop a realistic assessment of personal drug risk and knowledge of risk-mitigation strategies. 111 references.