The Great Drug War: And Radical Proposals That Could Make America Safe Again [Hardcover]

Arnold S. Trebach (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this arresting minority report, the author argues that a kind of hysteria has swept the U.S. about the use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs. Trebach, a professor in the School of Justice at American University, characterizes as wild the claim that an "entire generation is being destroyed by illegal chemicals," pointing out that far greater damage is being done to the nation by two legal drugs, alcohol and nicotine. Aided by the cheerleading of Nancy Reagan, many "experts," he claims, provide false information about drugs to young people and their parents; programs such as Straight Inc. and CareUnits even deprive some youths of their constitutional rights. He details the deleterious effects of the current drug war on the sick, the police and others, concluding with "a bundle of peaceful compromises" to bring "drugpeace." A good start, he states, could be made by admitting that the work of law enforcement agencies has had no significant impact on our citizenry's drug-taking habits. This controversial study is likely to be widely discussed.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Trebach is strongly opposed to all forms of drug abuse, but for several years he has been a leading debunker of the "war on drugs" mentality and present control policies. Following a lengthy attack on the irrationality of present programs, he suggests replacing the war on drugs with a "peace movement" that would be based on "methods of living peacefully with drugs that create the least possible harm for users and their nonusing neighbors," e.g., providing clean needles for addicts and health warnings on alcoholic beverages. While unconventional, Trebach's proposals are worthy of serious consideration as a rational alternative to present drug control policy. Highly recommended. John Broderick, Sociology Dept., Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 401 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0026198304
• ISBN-13: 978-0026198301
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,342,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Radically ahead of its time., March 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Drug War: And Radical Proposals That Could Make America Safe Again (Hardcover)

Given the current trends in the War on Drugs, Mr. Trebach's book offers refreshingly radical and interesting new strategies on how we might deal with the dilemma of illicit drugs. He also gives a great deal of information from behind the scenes of just how we have been dealing with this problem. It is interesting that this book was originally published in 1987, during the height of the drug war

5.0 out of 5 stars DEBUNKING THE DRUGWAR MYTHS, September 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Drug War: And Radical Proposals That Could Make America Safe Again (Hardcover)

While this book is not a great work of literature, its content is exceptional. Dr. Arnold Trebach, for decades one of the world's leading experts on drug policy, has hit all the nails right on their heads. As a criminal justice professor, this was required reading in my capstone seminar for seniors, and it is truly a "must read" for any open-minded individuals who want to know the truth about the drugwar and drugwarriors. We need Dr. Trebach's new brand of wisdom to escape the horrors of prohibition and to get down to the real business of dealing with drugs and the human beings who use them. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! (a recovering drugwarrior)