ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the changes in global drug problems and drug policies and expresses that prevalence, the major indicator in many countries, is insensitive to policy and that there is a strong argument for less enforcement of drug prohibitions. In 1998 the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) resolved that the global drug problem would be eliminated or substantially reduced within ten years. Heroin use has stabilized throughout the rich world and has actually declined markedly in Australia, a medium-sized country which had a large heroin problem in the late 1990's. Cannabis continues to generate controversy in many countries, quite out of proportion to the harms it causes. Progress in the creation of an international framework for tobacco and steps toward a similar treaty for alcohol suggest that it is possible to make major improvements in the handling of psychoactive substances at the international level. However, the most important changes in drug policy will occur at the national level.
