There is no doubt that drugs and violent crime are related, but in a variety of ways. The tripartite conceptual framework proposed suggests three models of the relationship between drugs and violent crime: psychopharmacological, economic-compulsive, and systemic. Various drugs differentially promote violence depending on which model is operant. Barbiturates, amphetamines, and alcohol are most often associated with psychopharmacological violence. Heroin and cocaine contribute to economic-compulsive violence. Any illicit drug may be associated with systemic violence (violence related to the drug trade). Legislative or programmatic responses to drug-related violence must be aware of the type of violence involved in the social problem. Drug rehabilitative staff must be informed of the nature and scope of the violence that permeates the drug scene and the effects this violence has on the lives of drug users. Policymakers and the general public must be aware of the most frequent types of drug-related violence and the targets of such violence. 8 notes, 120 references.