THE DOCUMENT BEGINS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF DRUG USE AND ADDICTION. COMPLETE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OPIATES, SEDATIVES, STIMULANTS, AND HALLUCINOGENS ARE GIVEN ALONG WITH DISCUSSIONS OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL DRUGS. NEW METHODS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF DRUGS AND PROOF OF ADDICTION ARE DETAILED AS WELL AS MODES OF TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION. LEGAL CONTROLS FOR DRUGS OF ADDICTION AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE AND CRIME ARE DISCUSSED. THE SPECIAL PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE BY YOUTH IS ALSO EXAMINED. A STUDY IS MADE OF THE DRUG SUBCULTURE, GIVING CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE NATURE OF THE ADDICT AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF A RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIAL STRUCTURE. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED BY ADDICTS IS FURNISHED.