Drugs, legal and illegal, are consumed across cultures, and are used for a wide variety of reasons, including, in the case of prescription drugs, to promote health.  However, illegal drugs play a very different role in our society and the effect they have those who use them.

Besides alcohol, our number one drug, some of the most commonly abused drugs include: marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamine, barbiturates, cocaine, methaqualone, opium alkaloids, synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, including flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), phencyclidine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), ketamine, anabolic steroids and a host of legal prescription drugs.

Regrettably, for millions of individuals and family members, drugs have become a source of devastating pain and loss.  Many drugs are addictive and the state of addiction to drugs is known as drug dependence.

But, to begin to better understand drug addiction, there is a great deal we need to talk about regarding drugs and their effect on the individual, the family and many  major problems faced by our society  -  crime, drugged driving and drugs in the workplace.  In addition, we need to discuss the special role that drugs play in problems among women, veterans and seniors.

Within this section of the NCADD website, we offer valuable information about:

• Frequently Asked Questions/Facts – basic facts as well as responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Marijuana – information about the most commonly used and abused illegal drug
• Prescription Drugs –information on the abuse of prescription drugs
• Drugged Driving – information about drugged driving
• Drugs and Crime – information on connection between drugs and crime
• Seniors, Veterans and Women – information about Drugs and Seniors, Drugs and Veterans and Drugs and Women
• Workplace– information on drugs in the workplace and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s)

NCADD Affiliates offer a range of services including help for individuals and family members.  If you are concerned about your own alcohol or other drug use or that of someone you care about—a child or other relative, a friend or co-worker—please make the contact.  You will be able to speak to someone who will listen, assess your needs and provide information about available services, costs and how to deal with another person’s alcohol and/or drug use.  Help is just a call or visit away—Make the contact now!