Drugs (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus)) [Paperback]

Jeffrey A. Schaler (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1573921963 | ISBN-13: 978-1573921961 | Publication Date: March 1998

Does drug addiction exist? Do we have a right to use drugs? Is personal responsibility achieved at the cost of individual liberty? Can drugs ever be controlled? Would a free market in drugs reduce social problems? This rich and diverse collection assembles a wide range of views in the ongoing debate over drug legalisation, decriminalisation, and deregulation in America. Reformers looking to lighten and eliminate drug laws are a divided group, with some claiming that drug abuse is a disease, a national health problem that should be treated as such, while those committed to the 'war on drugs' stress personal responsibility, and that there is no such thing as the 'disease' of addiction. Attitudes are splintered over government involvement in enforcement and regulation. Psychologist Jeffrey A Schaler seeks to expand our thinking about drug control in a free society by looking at the ethical issues as well as anthropological, sociological, economic, political, and philosophical questions that arise in the debate. This important volume includes essays by William Bennett, Rep. Joseph Biden, President Clinton, Rep. Charles B Rangel, Thomas Szasz, George Will, John Q Wilson, and many others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent selection, raising many challenging questions for all sides." -- Future Survey, February 2000

Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573921963
• ISBN-13: 978-1573921961
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diverse collection of hard to find material, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Drugs (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus)) (Paperback)

Dr. Jeffrey Schaler edits a collection of public policy wonk/highbrow academic articles on an contentious and important subject: the war on drugs. What most impressed me about this book was Dr. Schaler's well-balanced approach to article inclusion. While he makes no secret of his own views on the subject (Schaler is emphatically against the war on drugs), he offers several strong pieces on the other side of the issue as well.

This book may not be easy to get into for someone not accustomed to the Public Policy academic cadence, but in my opinion the material is worth the extra effort to anyone concerned about the efficacy of the current war on drugs.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Examination of the premises of the drug war., March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Drugs (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus)) (Paperback)

I can't believe that no one has reviewed this excellent book yet. This book is a collection of essays exploring the pros and cons of legalization. The first half features essays by those who are against legalization. Afterwards, there is a section on medical marijuana. The last part of the book is essays opposing drug prohibition, featuring such authors as Thomas Szasz, Milton Friedman, and Bruce Alexander. Read this book and decide for yourself if drug legalization is necessary, or if it would be a catastrophe.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting View on Public Policy, May 30, 2010

By 

Pat Singh "Pat Singh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drugs (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus)) (Paperback)

The issue of marijuana decriminalization is a public policy issue that will certainly be the hot button issue in the coming days especially when California is holding a referendum in November. We will see how the people will decide. This book offers a good take.