Understanding and Preventing Drug Abuse

Abstract

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the lead Federal agency responsible for monitoring the nature and extent of drug abuse in the United States. NIDA engages in research on the etiology of drug use and supports state-of-the-art research to develop prevention and treatment methods. NIDA's etiology research has played a crucial role not only in helping to understand the origins and development of substance abuse, psychopathologies, and other mental health and behavioral problems, but also has contributed significantly to effective prevention and treatment.

Key Words:

• Drug use
• Policy
• Etiology
• Prevention
• Treatment
• Psychopathology
• Behavior problems