This third edition continues the comprehensive approach of the first two editions, updating and adding information on pharmacology, inhalants, herbal stimulants, the changing nature of the drug business, and recent developments in policy, particularly the emerging approach of harm reduction. The opening chapter prepares readers for discussions in subsequent chapters. It begins by describing the problems inherent in defining terms such as "drugs" and "drug abuse," the dangers of legal drugs (nicotine and alcohol), the drug-use continuum from abstinence to dependency, classes of psychoactive drugs, and the problem of polydrug use. The chapter briefly reviews the various ways of responding to the problem of drug abuse and the relationship between drugs, crime, and violence. The second chapter provides an overview of the history of drug abuse, with attention to temperance and prohibition, the first drug laws, and the impact of China and the opium wars. Twentieth century U.S. drug legislation is also reviewed. The third chapter addresses the pharmacology of drug abuse, with attention to depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and cannabis, as well as analogs and designer drugs. The fourth chapter, which focuses on the psychology and sociology of drug abuse, explains various theories composed to explain drug-abuse behavior. The chapter on drug treatment and prevention considers the "cure" industry, chemical treatments, psychological treatments, types of drug treatment programs, prevention strategies, and technical problems and criticisms. The chapter on the business of drugs examines international trafficking in cocaine, the Cuban-Colombian connection, international trafficking in heroin, and domestic drug trafficking. The remaining two chapters focus on drug laws and their enforcement, as well as current drug-control policy and some alternative policies. Chapter review questions, 1,150 references, author and subject indexes