Most of the evidence about drug takers in Britain comes from the Home Office figures, which have had an enormous influence on policy decisions. Although they may be viewed as defective, they are regarded as the best that is available and are still used as a sort of moral barometer. One of the issues considered here is the labeling theory, according to which deviant behavior is simply behavior that has been so labeled. While the limitations of this theory are acknowledged, the author accepts the figures based thereon, and proceeds to examine how official figures have been classified and to show how those figures have been used for policy decisions. The document presents statistics concerning: (1) Number, sex and social class of addicts known to Home Office between 1934-1945; (2) Prosecutions for offenses against Dangerous Drugs Act, 1921-1945; (3) Prosecutions and sentences for offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Acts for 1936; (4) Number, sex and origins of known addicts 1946-1970; (5) Ages of known addicts; (6) Ages of addicts in 14-20 age group; (7) Drugs used by known addicts in the years 1946-1970; (8) Increase and decrease of addicts from 1956-1960; (9) Prosecutions/Convictions for all drugs 1946-1970 under Dangerous Drugs Acts; and (10) Convictions under Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964. Tables, references