The use of drug ethnography began with the writings of the Roman historian Herodotus; other historical figures who have engaged in some degree of ethnographical research related to drug abuse include Columbus, Vespucci, De Quincey, and various 19th century ethnobotanists. The first important modern drug ethnography in the United States was conducted in Chicago in the 1930's. The number of ethnographic studies related to drug using behavior increased with the explosion of drug use in the 1960's when many projects provided profiles of various special populations. In the following decade, there was a shift away from the emphasis on culture to a focus on specific drugs. In more recent years, there has been a dual research emphasis on street dealing and on the out-of-treatment drug abuser. Ethnography will have a fundamental place in the development of drug abuse and AIDS intervention and prevention programs. 80 references