Contributions of Drug Epidemiology to the Field of Drug Abuse Prevention

Abstract

A range of ways by which drug epidemiology and etiology can and should influence the field of drug use prevention is reviewed. Relevant empirical findings are presented on national drug use trends, explanatory variables, population exposure to various prevention efforts, and respondent evaluations of them. Particular attention is paid to in-school prevention efforts and the national ad campaign run by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The national data on adolescents derive from the Monitoring the Future study.

Key Words:

• Drug use
• Etiology
• Epidemiology
• Policy
• Trends
• Advertising