Using research which shows treatment to be effective in reducing intravenous drug abuse, and the importance of retention in treatment as a determinant of outcome, compulsory treatment is examined and a set of policy and research recommendations are developed. Particularly, civil commitment and court diversion programs are reviewed for their potential impact on reducing the number of intravenous drug abusers at risk for contracting and transmitting the AIDS virus. Recommendations include the provision of: effective methods for detecting drug abusers, appropriate legal protections, systems linkages, treatment, and recognition that drug dependence is chronic. It is also suggested that available treatments such as methadone maintenance be used by the criminal justice system for referrals.