Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs (Paperback)

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Product Description

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.

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: 256 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: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,047,949 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 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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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.) (Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.