Drug Nation: Patterns, Problems, Panics & Policies

Citation

(2011), "Drug Nation: Patterns, Problems, Panics & Policies", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 24 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2011.06224faa.015

Drug Nation: Patterns, Problems, Panics & Policies

Drug Nation: Patterns, Problems, Panics & Policies

Article Type: Recent publications From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 24, Issue 6

Please note that unless expressly stated, these are not reviews of titles given. They are descriptions of the books, based on information provided by the publishers.

Martin Plant, Roy Robertson, Moira Plant and Patrick Miller,Oxford University Press,2010,ISBN-13: 978-0-19-954479-0

Keywords: Illicit drug use, Health care management, Public healthcare, Patient information and choice

Offers a balanced, lucid, and authoritative account of drugs and drug taking. It dispels some of the many myths about drugs, especially those so frequently peddled by the popular press. Written by experts with years of experience dealing with the realities of drug taking, resulting in a book based on fact.

Humans have been using psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs since ancient times. Barely a day goes by without a drug-related issue reaching the headlines, and drugs, in some way or other, affect all of our lives, whether by our own use, the use of those we know, or even from just being a victim of drug-related crime.

This book provides an accessible and lucid introduction to some of the main health and social issues related to illicit drugs and their use. It reviews a range of popular drugs – including amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), heroin and LSD whilst considering the law related to such substances. Written in an accessible and approachable style, the book dispels some of the many myths about drug use that exist, offering an authoritative and balanced perspective on issues of personal, local, national and international importance.

Drug Nation: Patterns, Problems, Panics & Policies will be essential reading for anyone who wants to be informed about the drug situation, offering a sensible and non-sensational account of drugs and drug taking.

Contents include:

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  Drugs in Britain: the history.

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  Drugs in perspective.

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  Drugs: patterns of use.

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  The consequences of drug use: the good, the bad and the ugly.

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  Drug control policies: a question of balance.

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  The law and the criminal justice system.

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  Is drug education any use?

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  Drug classification and drug policy: can these ever be evidence-based?

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  Therapeutic options.

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  Future directions?