Drugs and Fitting In

VOYA - Evelyn Butrico

This new addition to the Drug Abuse Prevention Library is more like an extended pamphlet, which very few teens will pick up on their own, without it being required for school research. Although well indexed, it has potential for only minor research. The book discusses elements of teen culture or lifestyle such as fashion, music, and attitude, and offers how they play a role in peer pressure. The author gives some history of drugs and teens, and discusses the disadvantages of drug use and alternatives to drug use. Small scenarios and some positive-message chapters, such as "Advantages to Staying Drug Free" and "Alternatives to Drug Highs," have good intentions but are unrealistic in their approach. Any teen already involved in drugs or feeling peer pressure will find these silly. For example, within one scenario a teen who nearly dies after using Ecstasy calls a friend who is drug free and asks, "Tonisha, why don't you do drugs?" The friend goes on to point out ways being drug free can improve your life, help you cope better with stress, and appreciate natural highs. The chapter on how to say no is the best, giving advice such as "Don't use, don't judge," which discourages teens who do not use drugs from trying to change all their friends, and advice on "choosing your own style," which encourages teens to be themselves. There is a helpful where-to-go list with numbers and addresses for hotlines, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other organizations, including two in Canada, as well as a list of other current books on the topic. Public libraries might find this a more worthwhile purchase than school libraries. Glossary. Index. Photos. Biblio. Further Reading. VOYA Codes: 3Q 2P M J (Readable without serious defects, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).

Children's Literature - Jeanne K. Pettenati

Peer pressure and the widespread availability of drugs are an explosive combination. This informative book deals with an important social issue in a straightforward, effective way. It provides an overview of drugs, teen culture and style, and includes a brief history on drugs and this population. The book also defines a variety of drugs, including inhalants, cocaine, depressants and hallucinogens. One effective feature is the use of anecdotes to illustrate the consequences of drug use. The anecdotes also show teens who resist taking drugs and what activities they engage in for alternatives to drug highs. Without being excessively preachy, the author gets his point across that drug use is harmful. A section in the back of the book lists places to go for help and suggestions for further reading.

VOYA - Sue Krumbein

Drugs and Violent Crime and Drugs and Emotions are two titles that are part of theDrug Abuse Prevention Library. Both books are laid out in the same way: with large type, sub-topics in bold, photographs, and additional material in sections at the end of the book. These books are clearly designed to be used by students doing reports but could also be interesting to an individual curious about the topic. The difference between these titles and many other books on drugs is that these attempt to show a cause and effect relationship between the use and sale of drugs and the problems of violent crime and emotions. In Drugs and Violent Crime, the first chapter is on the drugs themselves, but chapters two through six focus on violence. The topics are more integrated in Drugs and Emotions. Each title would be attractive to and at a reading level easily understood by middle or junior high school students. However, for a thorough review of the topic, other books need to be available as well. The Drug Library series (Enslow) is more thorough and more formal in its approach to various topics. Tough Choices by John Langone (Little, Brown, 1995/VOYA, February 1995) treats the subject of substance abuse in a more serious manner. One objection that I have to these titles is their use of photographs. As I read, I felt that these photographs would interest my students more than the information, as they show people, among other things, making drug deals, stoned, or stealing. The reader is led to make a judgement that might hold true, i.e., about race or the way someone dresses. Although each book states that the people in the photographs are models, that disclaimer would escape the eyes of the average reader. These titles should be added to a collection where materials for poor readers are needed. Glossary. Index. Photos. Further Reading. Note: This review was written and published to address two titles: Drugs and Violent Crime and Drugs and Emotions. VOYA Codes: 2Q 2P M J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).