[Epidemiology of drug abuse and dependence]

Drug abuse or dependence in Japan has been characterized by three epidemics of methamphetamine abuse. In addition, solvent abuse has been predominant for a long time. Since 1995, with the start of the third epidemic of methamphetamine abuse, drug abuse or dependence in Japan has obviously changed, with an obvious decrease in solvent abuse; the stabilization of methamphetamine abuse; an increase in the abuse of such drugs as cannabis or MDMA, which do not have high potential to cause drug-induced psychosis; and the emergence of designer drugs. These changes imply a shift from conduct that leads to arrest to conduct that does not lead to arrest. Therefore, Japan is urged to deal with drug abuse and dependence using both a criminal model and a medical model.