Latin American studies have examined drug production in relation to wider problems of economic development in the drug-producing countries. Research in the drug-consuming countries, however, has tended to focus on the law enforcement and criminological aspects of countering drug trafficking as well as demand-reduction policies. Since the drugs/crime link has often been viewed by researchers as bound to the illegal context of the drug market, the option for legalization has been debated by researchers. Proponents of legalization rarely offer reliable predictions of future consumption and of long-term effects, particularly for the young; nor do they take into account potential developments in synthetic drugs, which could create demand where none previously existed and which would bypass labeling and product control of permitted substances. Still, those who press the debate for legalization are constructive in their efforts to assess realistically current policies for countering the threats of drug abuse. This article also explains the economic growth of the Italian mafia and describes recent international agreements on money laundering and precursor chemicals. The value of international cooperation in all aspects of narcotics research is emphasized. 39 notes