[Prescription of psychotropic drugs; use, misuse and abuse].

The prescription of psychotropic drugs in France rises questions dealing with public health and medical ethics. Mental disorders are too often turned into target-symptoms for psychotropic drugs minimizing the importance of individual psychism which requires specific help. Prescribed either excessively or insufficiently psychotropic drugs are used mainly in general practice according to questionable criteria. The importance of a good initial training in pharmacology and therapeutics is stressed. A post graduate medical training totally independent is the only warranty of a prescription adapted to patients' needs.