Drug Abuse: Crisis in the Treatment Arena

Abstract

This paper provides a perspective of the current crisis in drug abuse programming and an analysis of some of the contradictions, paradoxes, and problems which underlie this crisis. Precipitating factors in the development of the crisis are discussed, as are their components. These include lack of definition of success, duplication and overlapping of efforts and funding (stressing the matrix concept and revenue sharing), little cost-effectiveness, inadequate training of treators, a peculiar treatment and criminal justice “merger,” improper drug “scheduling,” and misleading drug terminology. Serious consideration of the issues which have been presented here is most critical.