Data were obtained from the Drug Abuse Warning Network, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the AIDS Surveillance Program, the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and two focus groups with female clients in residential treatment. Findings show that cocaine, heroin, and marijuana remain the predominant illicit drugs of abuse in Greater Boston and throughout Massachusetts. Cocaine indicators have stabilized after a decline in earlier reporting periods; 1994 emergency department mentions are virtually unchanged from 1993. Arrests from January to May 1995 and fiscal year 1995 treatment admissions have increased; price remains low, purity high, and availability continues to increase. As of November 1, 1995, 10,816 AIDS cases had been reported in Massachusetts. Injection drug use accounted for 35 percent of new AIDS cases reported between May 1, 1994, and October 31, 1995. 6 tables