Personal Commentary on the Drug Problem The need to solve the “drug problem” has been a reoccurring theme of political and social commentary in the United States for most of the past decade. The increase in drug use has begun a serious investigation into its causes, a massive investment of social efforts to contain it, and a mobilization of medical and par- medical resources to treat its victims. Why do people abuse drugs? Many people continually use drugs because they want a pleasurable change in their state of mind. This pleasurable change may range from a “mild” lift to an increased psychoactive