Drug abuse poses a serious threat to the health and welfare of both the individual and society. Mental status, physical health, social function and economic productivity are compromised. These factors can and too often have been associated with an increase in crime and violence. To the credit of NIDA-sponsored research, much more is understood today about the factors contributing to drug abuse than was understood as little as 20 years ago. Nevertheless, the continuing need to meet and treat this disorder requires that knowledge continue to be acquired from the molecular to the social realm. Existing research programs headed by drug abuse researchers in the NIDA Training Program at The University of Chicago are multidisciplinary in nature and designed to enhance knowledge of the social, behavioral, neurochemical, electrophysiological, neuropharmacological, genetic and molecular factors relevant to drugs of abuse. These research programs are increasing our understanding of the etiology of drug abuse and helping develop strategies for its treatment and prevention. Specific strengths encompassed by this NIDA Training Program relate to the biochemistry, electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology and molecular biology of abused drugs, as well as the characterization of behavioral and subjective effects of drugs in humans and assessment of treatment strategies in the clinic. Most important, the approach promoted is multidisciplinary, it fosters interactions between research teams using different tools and asking different questions, and provides training in a setting that addresses the broad aspects of drug abuse, ranging from the molecular mechanistic bases of drug actions to consideration of ethical concerns and the social consequences of drug use.