Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to Their History, Chemistry, Use, and Abuse Paul Gahlinger 2004, 456 pp $20 softcover

The author of this book believes that recreational drug use is inevitable. Lectures, penalties, and scare tactics have not changed the fact that some people like to alter their consciousness. His goal, therefore, is to use education to reduce the harmful effects of illegal drug use. The book presents a historical perspective that begins with the discovery of drugs by the Neanderthal people and ends with current federal and state drug laws.

The author provides an easy-to-read section on the physiology of the brain and its reaction to chemicals. The book thoroughly covers illegal drugs with a chapter for every drug classification. Each chapter includes a history, a profile of who uses the drug, chemical characteristics, withdrawal signs, long-term health problems, and emergency care for overdose.

The book concludes with self-help resources, Internet sites that provide information about illegal drugs, and a list of drug abuse and treatment centers in the United States. A bibliography for each chapter is a valuable reference tool for readers who want more information about illegal drugs.

This book is available from Penguin Group Inc, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10014.

NANCY KNAPP

RN, MS, CNOR, CLNC

NURSE CASE MANAGER

LIBERTY MUTUAL

CHICAGO

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