Public Law 89-793, the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act (NARA), was passed by Congress in 1966. This legislation was designed to allow the use of the federal courts and criminal-justice system to compel drug addicts to participate in treatment. Several developments provided the context for this legislation. In the early 1960s, the problem of NARCOTIC drug use and ADDICTION were perceived to be increasing. There was also a perception that treatment was not particularly effective and that the RELAPSE rate was high. In response, California, in 1961, and New York, in 1962, passed legislation permitting the CIVIL COMMITMENT of narcotic addicts; that is, they could be compelled to accept treatment even if they had committed no crime but could be shown to be using illicit narcotic drugs. In both of these states the legislatures also provided substantial funds to establish residential facilities where addicts...