SPECIFIC TOPICS INCLUDE THE AUSTRALIAN LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND; POLICE, COURT, AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES; THE USE OF DRUGS AND PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTIONS; COMMUNITY ATTITUDES AND THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; OTHER NATIONAL APPROACHES TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE; DIVERSION OF ADDICTS AND INEBRIATES; AND THE MARIJUANA DEBATE. ONE OF THE CONCERNS OF THE STUDY IS TO EXAMINE THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIMIT THE ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM TOWARD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE RESPONSE FOR ENCOURAGING CONTROLLED DRUG AND ALCOHOL USAGE IS TO BE FOUND IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY OR GROUP EVOLVES ITS OWN NORMS TO ENCOURAGE SUCH CONSTRAINT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALTERNATIVES (E.G., PRETRIAL DIVERSION) MAY WELL BE ONLY TEMPORARY MEASURES WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CHANGE IN PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE COMPLETE AND MEANINGFUL DECRIMINALIZATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF USE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DS)