The Drug Problem: A New View Using the General Semantics Approach [Hardcover]

Martin Levinson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 027596129X | ISBN-13: 978-0275961299 | Publication Date: August 30, 2002 | Edition: 1

Current approaches to the drug problem are not working and almost everyone agrees that more effective solutions are needed. This comprehensive volume offers a dynamic new approach to understanding and solving the drug problem. This text applies the techniques and formulations of general semantics to investigate and make recommendations about various aspects of drug abuse. General semantics, a process problem-solving approach based on the primacy of the scientific method and importance of language as a shaper of thoughts and perceptions, has a proven record of success in problem-solving across a wide variety of disciplines and fields.

Topics examined include American drug history and policy, the legalization issue, drugs and creativity, treatment, and prevention. A chronological overview of drug-taking in human history and a resource guide are provided. One chapter offers an in-depth description of an effective drug abuse prevention model and a program using the model.

Editorial Reviews

Review

?Congratulations to Martin H. Levinson, Ph.D., who has devoted his career to drug education and prevention, for forthrightly using general semantics in discussing "The Drug Problem" in an unusual and unusually enlightening way...Dr. Levinson's purpose is to educate people about the various asects of drug-related issues and to help in the construction of such methods and alternatives. In this, he has suceeded brilliantly...My main reaction is admiration for the work under review and Dr. Levinson for producing it. He clearly presents a unique, comprehensive, multifaceted approach to a well-described, multi-faceted set of problems. Now, bring on the readers- policy-makers, educators, and others concerned with learning enough to be able to support adequate policies.?-ETC

Book Description

Brings the advantages of general semantics, a proven process problem-solving approach, to the drug abuse problem.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Praeger; 1 edition (August 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 027596129X
• ISBN-13: 978-0275961299
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,189,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent analysis of the drug problem, October 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Drug Problem: A New View Using the General Semantics Approach (Hardcover)

This book provides a fascinating and comprehensive analysis of the drug problem. It has chapters on American drug history, policy, the legalization issue, drugs and creativity, treatment, and prevention. There are also appendixes containing a time line of significant events over 10,000 years of human drug taking and a resource and referral guide.
The book is particularly valuable because, unlike other books that are highly polemical, the author presents all sides of an issue before making recommendations. This allows the reader more information from which to base his or her opinion on a specific topic. The author also brings the insights of general semantics, a scientific problem-solving approach, to flesh out the intricacies of this highly complex social predicament.
All in all this book offers an immensely readable and unique look at an important problem in American society. Highly recommended.