Illicit drugs, despite the "war" waged by the United States
government, remain a tremendous drain on the American economy and
continue to take their toll on the lives of countless Americans. A
comprehensive text with an instructor's manual, Drug Abuse and
Social Policy in America analyzes why current US policy on the use
of licit and illicit mood-altering drugs has failed. This
groundbreaking book addresses differences between
decriminalization, legalization, and "zero tolerance"--areas and
philosophies that are poorly understood--and suggests a
multipronged approach to diminish inappropriate drug use.
Physicians, health care providers, teachers, law enforcement
officers, policymakers, social service providers, and students of
public policy and health will gain a better understanding of
substance abuse as a societal problem, rather than an individual
problem, and see that the billions of dollars spent on law
enforcement would be better spent on education, prevention,
treatment, and providing alternatives to drug use.Currently the
leading risk factor associated with the transmission of HIV,
illicit drugs continue to destroy the fabric of life in many
inner-city communities. Yet, drugs are a problem for Americans from
every corner of society, from suburban teenagers to pro athletes to
homeless people. Author Barry Stimmel demonstrates in Drug Abuse
and Social Policy in America that the drug problem is not being
addressed adequately because of a lack of commitment from the
majority of Americans and government leaders. The issues Drug Abuse
and Social Policy in America asks readers to confront include: Why
do we provide insufficient treatment facilities and incarcerate
users, yet wonder why more prison space is needed? Why do we
readily agree to build more prisons rather than community centers
that provide alternatives for youths? Why are we concerned with
teenage smoking and drinking, yet allow advertising of these
substances? Why do we advocate rehabilitation, but not hire people
in recovery? Why do we ask pregnant women with drug problems to
seek help, then try to take custody of their children rather than
provide social support while they receive treatment?Drug Abuse and
Social Policy in America challenges academics, practitioners, and
future social service providers and policymakers to rethink their
entire conception of the problem of substance abuse in America with
a cutting question: "Have we made any substantial progress in
diminishing the sue of nicotine, the excessive consumption of
alcohol, or the inappropriate use of prescription drugs, all of
which are responsible for more illnesses and societal costs than
all illicit drugs combined?" Identifying this as the place where
all efforts to curb drug use must start, Drug Abuse and Social
Policy in America offers readers many ways that individuals,
communities, organizations, and society can take action and be more
effective in convincing both those who consume drugs and those who
profit from their sale that their actions are inappropriate and
unacceptable.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!