Substance abuse and its social consequences are a major public concern for communities throughout the world. The motivations and consequences are deeply imbedded within the social and political structures of all countries, whether they be well-established democracies or developing nations.

Every culture shapes the meaning of and responses to substances such as marijuana and heroin over time and across locations, but the broader drug issue has become universal. As the sphere of the problem expands, the experiences and solutions of each nation become more relevant to other countries. International concern over substance abuse has intensified as a result of the rise in production, use, and trafficking of illicit drugs all over the world. Therefore, the practical knowledge of policy development and abuse prevention and treatment strategies in the Middle East have increasing relevance for the rest of the world.

RICHARD E. ISRALOWITZ is Professor and Director, Israel Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources Center, Ben Gurion University.

MOHAMED AFIFI, M.D., is Director of the Palestine Substance Abuse and Addiction Research Center and the Gaza Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources Center. He is founder of the Child Health and Community Research Association, and has served as Director of Health Promotion and Education for the Palestine Ministry of Health since 1990.

RICHARD RAWSON is Adjunct Associate Profesor and the Associate Director of the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles.