[Addiction and primary prevention]

Primary prevention sensu strictiori of the abuse of and dependence on, drugs most not only reduce their availability but, more importantly, strive to prevent the development of a demand for them already at an early age. To this end, the factors arousing such demands must be known. Epidemiological research should elucidate the environmental and behavioural traits which may pre-dispose the young individual to turn to drugs, alcohol, violence, crime, or even suicide, i.e., the development of chemical dependence cannot be an isolated target of preventive activities. In fact, primary prevention which envisages specifically and exclusively the misuse of drugs is not realistic. Rather, the preventive efforts must address the totality of factors involved in the possible development of deviating behaviour and should operate within the framework and as an integral component of health education as a whole with the aim to enable the individual to lead a healthy life--physically, mentally, and socially.