NCJ Number
15337
Date Published
1974
Length
228 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES THE ROOTS OF DRUG ABUSE IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE PERIOD FROM THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR TO THE END OF WORLD WAR ONE.
Abstract
THROUGH CONTEMPORARY ARTICLES THIS DOCUMENT FOCUSES ON PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD DRUG ABUSE, FORMS OF DRUG ABUSE, AND REASONS WHY THE UNITED STATES HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL DRUG ABUSE. IT SUGGESTS THAT IN THE HALF-CENTURY SINCE WORLD WAR ONE, HARDLY ANYTHING HAS CHANGED. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT PUBLIC FEAR OF DRUG ABUSE RESTS ON SEVERAL ASSUMPTIONS, ALL OF WHICH CUT DEEPLY INTO AMERICAN IDEALS AND PURPOSE. AMONG THESE ARE THE IDEA THAT THE DRUG ABUSER IS SOMEHOW A SLAVE, DEVOID OF FREE WILL, AND THUS IN A SITUATION WHICH RUNS COUNTER TO THE HISTORIC EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUALISM IN AMERICA. THE IDEA THAT DRUG ABUSE THREATENS EFFICIENCY IN THE PRODUCTION OF BOTH GOODS AND IDEAS BY REMOVING PEOPLE FROM THE MAINSTREAM OR REALITY IS ALSO EXPLORED IN DETAIL. TRACING THE AWARENESS OF, EXTENT OF, AND CONCERN ABOUT DRUG ABUSE DURING THE PERIOD 1965-1920, THIS BOOK WILL BE OF INTEREST TO HISTORIANS, SOCIOLOGISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND ANYONE SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE ANTECEDENTS OF AMERICA'S CURRENT PREOCCUPATION WITH THE DRUG CULTURE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)