Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs [Paperback]

Philip Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814742440 | ISBN-13: 978-0814742440 | Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | Edition: 1

America has a long history of drug panics in which countless social problems have been blamed on the devastating effects of some harmful substance. In the last forty years, such panics have often focused on synthetic or designer drugs, like methamphetamine, PCP, Ecstasy, methcathinone, and rave drugs like ketamine, and GHB. Fear of these substances has provided critical justification for the continuing "war on drugs."

Synthetic Panics traces the history of these anti-drug movements, demonstrating that designer chemicals inspire so much fear not because they are uniquely dangerous, but because they bring into focus deeply rooted public concerns about social and cultural upheaval. Jenkins highlights the role of the mass media in spreading anti-drug hysteria and shows how proponents of the war on drugs use synthetic panics to scapegoat society's "others" and exacerbate racial, class, and intergenerational conflict.

Editorial Reviews

Review

With gestures to the music of John Cage and the meaning of fashion, Michael Swartz explores the manifold ways that ancient Jews believed God could speak through worldly things: animals and dreams, zodiac and temple, priestly vestments and the flowing of blood. Using such diverse sources as ancient synagogue mosaics and liturgical poetry, Swartz shows with economy and insight that formative Judaism looked well beyond the Torah to find divine intention.-David Frankfurter, --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University. He is the author of numerous books including Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in America and Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs, available from NYU Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press; 1 edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814742440
• ISBN-13: 978-0814742440
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Jenkins is the author of The Lost History of Christianity and has a joint appointment as the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of the Humanities in history and religious studies at Penn State University and as Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. He has published articles and op-ed pieces in The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe and has been a guest on top national radio shows across the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Synthetic Panics: The Politics Of Designer Drugs, July 4, 2000

By 

Keith D. Brilhart (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs (Hardcover)

Dr. Jenkins writes an engaging historical examination of how government agencies (Drug Enforcement Administration, police groups)have used alarming claims about designer drugs (and other drugs that have been around for years)in order to fund increasing budgets.

Through a number of case studies, in which he cites statistical information while providing an understanding of how such statistics are gathered, it becomes clear that virtually all of the designer drug panics have been far overrated in their impact. In most cases, there is a small localized following for some drug of abuse, which is then reported in an alarmist fashion as being a major threat to the entire country. Exageration is the norm to those with a vested interest in greater police funding and reduced civil liberties.

He also points out how a press which is always eager to print alarming news to engage readers, and has frequently acted as a stenographer, uncritically publishing these often false claims.

In a constructive finish to the work, the author points out how to spot exaggerated and ungrounded claims, and what to do about them.

This book should be required reading for elected government officials, and concerned citizens.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Great Policy Writing but Dubious Science Facts, October 3, 2011

By 

Cassie Rodenberg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs (Paperback)

As an addiction and drug writer, I was thrilled to see a book specifically on designer drugs. I found the politics side of the book good, while the science side rather lacking.

If you're looking for a book that follows designer drugs' evolution and entry into the masses, as well as the legislation surrounding them, Synthetic Panics delivers. If you're looking for good hard science, pair this with another read, perhaps like "Buzzed," a simple, yet effective, handbook on illicit drugs.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extremely good, October 15, 2003

By 

Author Brian Wallace (Mind Transmission, Inc.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs (Hardcover)

a powerful, highly intelligent exploration of the more uniquely fascinating aspects to the War on Drugs and its horrendous components.

The author writes from an informed, erudite perspective that drags truly insidious paranoias (generated by people - not drugs) into the light of day, before systematically decimating them.

A brilliant book - a must read.