There are five major patterns of drug taking including experimental use, social recreational use, circumstantial situational use, intensified use, and compulsive use. Although historically, drug use worldwide has been limited to some extent by cultural factors, modern technology and transportation have brought drugs to virtually everywhere on earth. While alcohol is considered the major drug of abuse, many other substances are consumed. Researchers have identified five models of drug abuse prevention: law enforcement, medical, educational, psychosocial, and social cultural. Governments attempt to fight illicit drug use through crop control, seizure, investigation and prosecution, and effective treatment and prevention. Three major treatment program approaches include the supervisory-deterrent model, the medical-distributive model, and the drug-free model. 48 references