The introductory section discusses the differences between legal and illegal drugs, reasons people take drugs, drug side effects and interactions, and ways to identify drug abuse and dependence. Four subsequent chapters cover narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens and related drugs, and depressants. Each of these chapter discusses the specific drugs that fall into that category, how they work, the long-term effects of using that class of drugs, and how to seek treatment for drug use. The final section warns children and adolescents about the dangers of using drugs even once; discusses the potential consequences, both law- and health- related, of drug use; and responds to some common myths about drug use.