The unit was formed in 1990 and funded by a Federal Anti- Drug Abuse Act grant as part of the growing community-based drug-control strategy being implemented in Cook County. By aggressively enforcing public nuisance laws, the unit is able to identify residences and other buildings in which illegal drugs are sold or used, then holds property owners responsible for abating these activities. Citizen cooperation is stressed as an important component of the strategy. Between August 1990 and October 1992, the unit received 3,900 complaints and achieved the voluntary abatement of nearly 1,300 cases; 25 cases were abated following civil court orders adjoining use of the properties. In many instances, communities have used abatement as a means of taking action against drug trafficking before it reaches epidemic proportions. The efforts of the Northwest Austin Council to close down a large apartment building used by drug traffickers are described. The second article in the newsletter examines the recent Illinois Supreme Court rulings which upheld a State law that places stiffer penalties on drug crimes committed in and around public housing; the Court also overturned an appellate court ruling delaying a nuisance abatement eviction from a drug house in Chicago.