Although surveying agencies vary slightly in reported data, overall drug use which had been decreasing in the 1980's appears to be increasing in the 1990's. Notably, perceptions that drugs are harmless have increased among youth. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) indicates that 11.7 million Americans used illicit drugs in 1993; 77 million Americans aged 12 years and older had tried drugs at least once, and marijuana was the most commonly used drug. Both the NHSDA and Monitoring the Future Study show an increase in drug abuse among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. The issue of drug legalization and the link between illegal drug use and educational status are discussed. Consideration is also given to the use of cocaine and other drugs during pregnancy, the need to educate children and youth at risk, gateway drugs (alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana), drug abuse costs to society, the link between drug abuse and health problems, the link between drugs and crime, and drugs in the workplace. 18 footnotes