This book was written by A.E. Wilder Smith, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Illinois Medical Center. The book examines the growing epidemic of drug use among young people and explores their need to achieve ecstasy through drug use. The book is divided into two sections. The first section of the book, Part One: The Drug Factor contains seven chapters detailing the clinical effects of drugs used by young people for religious and psychic purposes. These drugs include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana and hashish (Cannabis drugs), tranquilizers, amphetamines, and morphine drugs (opium, heroin, codeine, and morphine). The second section of the book, Part Two: The Environmental Factor examines why these drugs are being used and what effect this use is likely to have on society. The author believes that young people are using drugs at a growing rate due to the lack of individual challenge and transcendental experience, and that conventional Christianity has failed to give them the ecstasy and communion with God which they seek. Glossary, index, and bibliography