Discusses the issues regarding chemical dependency and substance abuse, including what causes the dependency, if drug treatment programs are effective, and what proper legislative measures should be taken.

Is chemical dependency a serious problem? Teen drug abuse has increased / Biotech Week ; Some teen drug abuse has decreased / Monitoring the Future ; Smoking causes significant health problems / National Cancer Institute ; Smoking-related health problems are exaggerated / Maureen Martin and Joseph L. Bast ; Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem / National Institute on Drug Abuse ; The media have exaggerated the prescription drug abuse crisis / Maia Szalavitz -- What causes chemical dependency? Addiction is a brain disease / Michael Craig Miller ; Addiction is a chronic disorder / William L. White and Thomas McClellan ; Addiction is not a disease / Gene M. Heyman, as told to Daniel Akst ; Addiction is caused by genetic and environmental factors / Claudia Wallis -- What drug treatment and prevention programs are effective? Needle-exchange programs can reduce the transmission of HIV / Tina Rosenberg ; Needle-exchange programs may not reduce the transmission of HIV / Robert John Araujo ; Methadone is an effective treatment for heroin addiction / Ira J. Marion ; Methadone can be dangerous / JoNel Aleccia ; The cocaine vaccine may be effective / Kayt Sukel ; The cocaine vaccine may not be effective / Rachel Saslow -- Should drug laws be changed? The disparity in crack and powder cocaine sentences is necessary / Joseph I. Cassilly ; The disparity in crack and powder cocaine sentences is ineffective and unfair / Bill Piper ; Drug courts are a promising solution to the drug problem / Peggy Fulton Hora ; Drug courts are not a solution to the drug problem / Phillip Smith.