A majority of countries surveyed have some provision for the civil commitment of substance abusers. Grounds for commitment were found either in mental health statutes which emphasize risk to self and/or others, or in legislation on drug abuse which emphasize only evidence of use. The civil commitment process, treatment services, and reported effectiveness in containing drug abuse is described for several countries. Conditions viewed as necessary for the initiation of civil commitment and appropriate safeguards for commitment procedures are discussed.
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