At the microlevel, drug abuse is often linked with antisocial behavior such as delinquency, crime, and violence, and has negative consequences for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities that need to be addressed by the international community and individual governments. The factors that are regarded as contributing to the link between drug abuse, crime, and violence are the type of drug involved, the amounts of it that are abused, the person abusing the drug, and the environment in which the drug is taken. The emergence of the abuse of crack cocaine has been associated with a rise in crime and violence in many cities throughout the world. A relatively small group of serious and violent offenders that are drug abusers account for a disproportionate amount of all serious crime committed by delinquents. A large number of these people often grow out of that violence and drug abuse once they reach adulthood. Economic opportunities provided by drug trafficking can lead to rivalry among drug gangs as they compete for a larger share in the illicit market. Violence, crime, and drugs have a disproportionate impact on certain individuals and segments of society and curtail the freedom of movement of women, the elderly, and children in dysfunctional communities where crime is rampant and fear of crime is widespread. Law enforcement intervention has often been seen as the only viable response to violence and other crimes associated with drug abuse, but there is a need to explore other means of addressing such crimes. A multidisciplinary approach should include effective drug demand reduction programs; assistance to drug-dependent persons for treatment; and involving the community in drug abuse prevention. Any measure adopted to reduce harm associated with illicit drug use should always be implemented in the context of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the demand for illicit drugs. The international community is committed to the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug production and trafficking. 51 notes, 2 annexes