The author attempts to provide a balanced and honest account of drug use throughout the world. He considers all drugs currently used, looking at their effects, why people use drugs, how they become addicted, and what lessons can be learned from making drugs illegal. Chapters cover the prevalence of and reasons for recreational drug use, the consequences of drug use, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and other stimulants, psychedelics and hallucinogens, inhalants, ecstasy and other designer drugs, anabolic steroids, tranquilizers and sleeping pills, heroin and opiates, the nature of addiction, and ways of helping problem drug users. References