The United States began regulating the use and distribution of narcotics and other consciousness-altering drugs in the late 19th century. Both State and Federal legislation has focused on both the use and distribution of drugs. Therefore, the criminal justice system is at the center of drug-control efforts. The main drugs of concern are narcotics, depressants, psychedelics, and stimulants. In the 1993 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 37.2 percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 12 and older reported illicit drug use in their lifetime, 11.8 percent reported illicit drug use in the past year, and 5.6 percent reported using illicit drugs in the past month. Two disturbing trends are the increasing rate of illicit drug use by youth and the increasing use of heroin. The best way to reduce overall demand for illicit drugs is to reduce the number of chronic hardcore drug users by increasing treatment capacity. Drug courts are a way to link criminal justice and treatment. In addition, drug prevention research has produced guidance for prevention practitioners. Drug decriminalization has been a topic of debate in the 1990s. Figures, photographs, discussion and review questions, notes, and 28 references