[The problems of the various characteristics of drug abuse (author's transl)].

An analysis of the epidemiology and health policy factors of drug abuse calls for a differentiation of various types of abuse. From the total of habitually used drugs, a steady increase is seen in the quota of tranquilizers, while there has been a regressive trend with analgesics. It is difficult to objectify the dependence potential of powerful analgesics and to assess the general significance of their abuse since there are no well-founded epidemiological studies. In order to guarantee the proper use of such substances, it is necessary to strictly consider possible hazards to individual health and the risk factors for public health on the one hand and of the therapeutic benefit on the other.