Assessment of Dependence Liability of Psychotropic Substances: Nature of theProblem and the Role of the College on Problems on Drug Dependence

摘要

Drug dependence has been a problem in this country for the last 100 years, buthas only fairly recently become a matter of serious concern to health care professionals, the government and society at large. Factors such as the rapid availability of new drugs on the market and their increased illicit trafficking has forced society to come to grips with the devastating effects of substance abuse on individuals and society. Drug abuse has now moved from isolated pockets of our society to spread across all social, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The dramatic recent advances in the development of new psychoactive drugs with potent therapeutic effects has generated a host of new drugs with significant abuse potential. Currently, the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) has three major functions: first, the assessment of the abuse liability of psychotropic drugs; second, holding the premier and longest standing annual scientific meeting to review the status of the dependence liability of drugs; and, third, to serve as a consultant to the private sector and various governmental agencies on all drug-related matters and policies.