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A great deal has been done to try to reduce drug consumption in the United States over the past 35
years, but drugs are just as cheap and available as they have ever been. Cocaine, heroin, and
methamphetamines continue to cause great harm in the country, particularly in minority communities in
the major cities. Marijuana use remains a part of adolescent development for about half of the country’s
young people, although there is controversy about the extent of its harm.
In light of the continued problems with illegal drug use, the National Institute of Justice asked the
National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a study of current research on the demand for drugs. The
statement of task for this project is as follows:
An ad hoc committee will conduct a workshop-based study that will identify and describe what is known
about the nature and scope of markets for illegal drugs and the characteristics of drug users. The study
will include exploration of research issues associated with drug demand and what is needed to learn
more about what drives demand in the United States. The committee will specifically address the
following issues:
What is known about the nature and scope of illegal drug markets and differences in various markets for
popular drugs?
What is known about the characteristics of consumers in different markets and why the market remains
robust despite the risks associated with buying and selling?
What issues can be identified for future research? Possibilities include the respective roles of
dependence, heavy use, and recreational use in fueling the market; responses that could be developed
to address
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Suggested Citation:"Summary." National Research Council. 2010. Understanding the Demand for Illegal
Drugs. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12976. ×