The results of the most recent national survey of illicit drug use in the United States reveal that about one in five people admit to having used drugs within the last year. Recent surveys also show a continued decline since the mid-1970s in adolescent drug use, with the important exception of cocaine use which shows a slight increase. The types of drugs are narcotics, cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogens, stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and cigarettes. Primary prevention of drug use is focused on keeping adolescents from experimenting with drugs or, if they have already tried drugs, keeping them from becoming frequent users. Secondary prevention programs seek to keep social/recreational users from becoming regular or heavy users. Tertiary prevention is similar to secondary but narrows the focus to those who have already manifested or exhibited some problems resulting from or related to drug use. These symptoms might include absenteeism, learning difficulties, delinquency, or health problems. In general, treatment options can be broken down into four basic approaches: (1) detoxification, (2) methadone maintenance, (3) therapeutic communities, and (4) drug-free programs. Programs to interdict drug use through deterrence and criminal prosecution have not been successful due to the attitude that drug use is not a serious crime, and the fact that profit can be made from the sale of drugs. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 8 notes.