Drug Abuse and Drug Abuse Research: The Second Triennial Report to Congress From the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

• NCJ Number: 235874
• Author(s): Sally Breul; Mary Louise Embrey
• Editor(s): Robert C. Petersen
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 251 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Sale Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics; Report (Annual/Periodic)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Second Triennial Report on Drug Abuse and Drug Abuse Research, which was presented to Congress in 1987 by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, summarizes the changes that have occurred in the understanding of the health implications of drug abuse as a result of research since 1983.

Abstract

The information and data presented pertain to the nature and extent of drug abuse since the last report; prevention research; treatment research; the abuse and health effects of various types of illicit and prescription drugs; and the link between intravenous drug use and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Regarding the nature and extent of drug abuse, there has been a decrease in the use of some of the abused drugs since the last report; however, widespread drug abuse remains a serious public health concern. There is also reason to believe that the decline in the use of most drugs in recent years may be stabilizing. Regarding prevention research, the most effective prevention strategies involve the development of skills in resisting personal and media persuasion, increasing self-control and self-esteem, and learning ways of coping with stress that do not involve drug use. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these approaches with a wider range of children and adolescents. The treatment of drug abuse is becoming increasingly sophisticated, based on research that shows substance abuse is a multifaceted syndrome that requires varied approaches for a greater diversity of drug abusers. Research is reported on the use and health effects of the following drug types: Marijuana and the cannabinoids; nicotine; stimulants other than cocaine; cocaine; sedative and anti-anxiety prescription drugs; hallucinogens and inhalants; heroin and narcotics; and basic research on endogenous opioids. Twenty-five percent of all AIDS cases involve the intravenous drug-abuser population. Chapter tables, figures, and references and an index of drugs and other chemical compounds