The Handbook for surveys on drug use among the general population is intended to be a reference toolbox for everyone planning, organising or executing a survey about drug use among the general population. From the point of view of the EMCDDA, it is an important instrument in the implementation of the general population surveys (GPS) key indicactor. The handbook is, to a large extent, a compilation, summary and editing of the final reports of the projects 'Improving the comparability of general population surveys on drug use in the EU' published in 1997 and 'Coordination of an expert working group to develop instruments and guidelines to improve quality and comparability of general population surveys on drugs in the EU' (including its technical annexes) published in 1999, which have been coordinated for the EMCDDA over the years 1997–99.