[Editorial] Addressing addiction in the USA (Lancet)

The huge toll that substance use and misuse is having on individuals, families, and communities in the USA has culminated in a major public health crisis that shows few signs of abating. Last week, the US Surgeon General released Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General`s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health--the Surgeon General`s first-ever statement on this topic. This 426-page report addresses the problem of substance use and the wide range of adverse health effects from alcohol and both legal and illegal drugs.