The analysis presents both liberal and conservative social perspectives and aims to give readers insight into the formulation of possible solutions to drug abuse and drug law offenses in the United States. The book's first section details the history of drug use and drug abuse, the development of drug control policy, the effects of drugs, theories of drug abuse causes, and the role of source countries in drug trafficking. It also focuses on drug-related crimes that support the illicit drug industry and that are the basis for much violence. The second section focuses on the involvement of organized crime in the drug trade in the United States. It discusses traditional organized crime groups, outlaw motorcycle gangs, inner-city youth gangs, Jamaican posses, prison gangs, and ancillary drug trafficking organizations. It also considers narcoterrorism and foreign drug trafficking organizations, including Colombian organized crime, Mexican drug traffickers, Cuban drug traffickers, and Asian organized crime. The book's third section discusses the role of Federal drug law enforcement organizations, drug laws, and local drug law enforcement initiatives. It also examines issues such as drug courier profiles, covert police initiatives, the legalization of medical marijuana, needle exchange programs, employee drug treating, drug abuse in sports, and drug control through drug treatment and drug prevention programs. Chapter discussion questions, suggested class projects, lists of major terms used in each chapter, figures, charts, index, and approximately 300 references