The ESSD was founded in 1990 as an association of European social scientists working on drug issues. Its principal aim is to promote social science approaches (especially qualitative research) to drug research, with special reference to the situation in Europe.

At the first ESSD conference in 1990, nearly all the participants took an active role and presented their own research. This active participation has remained a characteristic feature of ESSD conferences and means that participants can actively and effectively share their experiences with their colleagues across Europe.