NCJ Number
145335
Editor(s)
A A Sorensen
Date Published
1972
Length
128 pages
Annotation
This collection of essays on the prevention and treatment of drug abuse, written for parents, teachers, clergymen, and politicians, emphasizes a local community approach.
Abstract
Drug use has become more widespread among middle class youth, and the first essay looks at the youth culture, the propensity of youth to use drugs, and the psychological impact of drug use. Measures that can be taken to treat drug abusers and ways in which society can respond more adequately to young people are noted. The second essay characterizes barriers that tend to divide members of the same family and the same community, while the third essay presents a psychologist's perspective on attitudes people have toward drugs and how these attitudes affect their drug experiences. Subsequent essays cover the legal and judicial response to drug users, the link between drug use and community social structures, drug use among adolescents in the context of a peer group system, and deficiencies of existing drug laws. The final essay discusses a report of the American Medical Association's Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Ways the community can become involved in drug prevention and treatment are identified. Footnotes and figures