Stimulants

VOYA

According to the foreword that appears at the beginning of each book, the volumes in the Drug Education Library series examines the "paradox of drug use in America" by objectively discussing the purposes and effects of drugs and the controversies surrounding them. The books in this series vary in quality and tone and are sometimes less than objective about the drug(s) under discussion. Walker and Wood take a less-than-balanced view in Stimulants, which discusses a variety of drugs in this category. The authors cover a brief history of stimulants, which are being consumed in larger doses because of the pressure to be productive in today's fast-paced society. Although the authors name caffeine and nicotine as the two most popular stimulants, comparatively little discussion focuses on these drugs. The bulk of the book is devoted to the dangers of illegal stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Given that many of today's teens are using caffeine in large doses, more discussion of caffeine and its effects in the long term would have been appropriate. Three of the book's five chapters focus on stimulant abuse, addiction, and treatment. Overall these books represent a worthwhile addition to school and public library reference collections for teens. The writing is not too sophisticated for younger teens, and older students researching these topics will appreciate the concise analysis of complex issues. Other titles in the series discuss opium, LSD, nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol. (Drug Education Library). VOYA CODES: 3Q 1P M J S (Readable without serious defects; No YA will read unless forced to for assignments; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined asgrades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Lucent/Gale, 112p.; Charts. Illus. Photos. Source Notes. Further Reading. Biblio. Index., PLB . Ages 11 to 18.
—Deborah Fisher