The paper notes that the amount of money derived from drug production cannot be matched in the legal economies of drug- producing countries. Further, the possibility of controlling illegal drug production is not realistic. The author suggests that drug production is linked to the common social attributes of poverty, cultural isolation, economic pressures, and lack of legal alternatives. The demand for drugs in developed countries has a definite impact on drug production in developing countries, and drug trafficking poses significant social costs with respect to drug addiction. Data are provided on general characteristics of drug production in developing countries. Common themes associated with drug production in these countries are explored, including social stratification, cultivation, coca planting, cocaine processing, and opium planting. Country profiles are provided for Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. References and tables