IT IS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR CHANGES IN DRUG USE IN THE LAST DECADE HAS BEEN THAT APPREHENDED DRUG ABUSERS HAVE COME FROM DIFFERENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES. THE GENERAL POPULATION HAS BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH DRUG USERS, LEADING TO A MAJOR CHANGE FROM A CRIMINAL MODEL TO A MEDICAL MODEL OF DEALING WITH MANY DRUG ABUSERS. ALTHOUGH THIS MEDICAL MODEL OF DEALING WITH ABUSE HAS GAINED SOME FAVOR, THE BASIC LEGISLATIVE POLICY OF USING POTENTIAL LONG AND SEVERE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS TO ELEMINATE SUPPLY HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY CONSTANT. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE PATTERN OF DRUG ABUSE SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE PRACTICE WILL BECOME EVEN MORE WIDESPREAD IN THE FUTURE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP