Changes in the Drug Scene: Drug Use Trends and Behavioral Patterns

Abstract

The “drug scene” in the United States has evolved very dramatically in the period from prior to 1965 to the present. The sociology of drug use patterns was rather constant prior to 1965. In the mid 1960s “fashionable trends” in drug use took shape, starting with use of psychedelics for consciousness expansion. This led to poly-drug use, where the quality of the drugs taken deteriorated leading to present availability of “look alikes” which are manufactured to resemble original drug products but are counterfeit controlled substances. Several special current drug problems currently exist including freebasing cocaine, phencyclidine use and methaqualone use. The potential behavioral meanings of drug use are discussed, which may be multiple and multi-determined in nature. The interface of adolescent development issues and family dynamics are important to consider in regard to potential underlying reasons for adolescent drug abuse.