The Drug Problem: American Issues Debated

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

Following a brief introduction on drug history and its use and abuse, the author uses a debate format to discuss important issues such as should drugs be legalized, has the drug war been effective, and does drug policy discriminate against minorities. Each essay is thoughtful, concise and clearly written. The pro and con debates are prefaced with an overview. There is much here to prompt discussion in a classroom, and anyone doing research on this topic will find this a helpful reference. A glossary, bibliography, and index round out the book. A list of agencies to turn to for help or free materials is a nice addition. The small print may be a deterrent, but the reader who sticks with it will be rewarded with a wealth of unbiased information.

VOYA - Deborah L. Dubois

Levine presents both sides of issues related to drug abuse, covering in the introductory chapters the use of drugs, government regulation and agencies, drug abuse, specific drugs, and treatment, then in subsequent chapters giving background information on specific issues and presenting arguments for and against the question. Issues debated are the effectiveness of the war on drugs, decriminalization of drugs, drugs as a threat to civil liberties, discrimination against minorities in drug policy, and drug testing. The conclusion examines the future of drug abuse policy. Levine does a good job of presenting both sides of the issues. The bibliography lists the references used for the arguments presented. After reading each chapter, students would have enough information on both sides to make up their own minds. This text, in the publisher's American Issues debated series, has a less scholarly tone than the Opposing Viewpoints book, Drug Abuse (Greenhaven, 1994/VOYA April 1994). Each side of an issue in that series is presented by a different spokesperson. Levine himself presents the arguments for both sides, but in examining the bibliography, it becomes clear that he uses information from the same spokespersons as are used in Drug Abuse. This book is more visually appealing and easier to read than the Opposing Viewpoints work, and it will be useful for students doing research. Glossary. Index. Photos. Biblio. Further Reading Appendix. VOYA Codes: 3Q 1P S (Readable without serious defects, No YA will read unless forced to for assignments, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12). Steck-Vaughn,