Introduction

This chapter outlines past approaches in the criminological study of drug use, markets and trafficking, and discusses an overview of key concepts covered in this book. The book is concerned with the topical and important subject of drug use, within the equally topical and important context of the changes occurring within European societies. It first reviews drug use, cultures, markets and trafficking in Europe. Then, the book considers some matters of policy, such as treatment approaches and control issues, and discusses the prospects for liberalization of drug use laws in Europe. The book also focuses on two countries in particular, Britain and Italy, which offer interesting comparisons as "case studies". More specifically, the case studies and original research concentrate on two areas within these countries: Greater London and the industrial area of Turin and Piedmont in the North West of Italy.