Drugs Books

I've got to say this book is outstanding for being Julie's first fictional novel. It has an interesting story that most teenagers can related to, and even adults that remember what its like to grow up in high school. Even though the main character is a young girl, and me being a twenty year old dude, I still found it an enjoyable read all the way threw.

I don't have much time to set aside to read, so being able to get threw this book in a few hours is great for me, and for teenagers with a short attention span. Its nice to see a book that can show how holding back you feelings, and being dishonest with a close friend can be quite harmful.

I gave this book the five starts, because I think it is a perfect fit for the demographic Julie Gorges is aiming for. So even if you are an adult, or a light reader, I highly consider picking up a copy of this book for either yourself or a friend.

I was rooting for Jade as she realized that she had a crush on the same guy her best friend was dating and as her family struggled with her brother's addictions. Julie Gorges realistically captures the internal struggle of a teen trying to do the right thing and at the same time not betray her best friend or her brother. I'd highly recommend this book to teens or anyone who is young at heart and remembers the pain and joy of being a teen-ager.

A very good read. Who hasn't met charactors like these at their own school? I'm looking forward to more stories from this author!

When you're both innocent and a perfectionist, the one thing that you would never want, at least if you're Jade Haddock, is change. Jade was used to being the one that her parents could depend on. She was used to being in the shadow while her best friend, Stephanie Simmons, was in the spotlight. And she was used to having a normal family.

But everything started to change. Her brother started having problems, both at school and at home. He started drinking and lying to their parents, causing Jade to be in the middle of the chaos. Jade's life changed when her best friend introduced her to the new guy, Rob. Sure, her best friend liked him, but Jade couldn't help feeling something toward him, too. Everything changed when problems started to rise up for Jade--and for once she did not know what to do or how to solve them.

Julie A. Gorges writes JUST CALL ME GOODY-TWO-SHOES to perfection. A fast-paced, well-developed quick read, this book will make us think about choices we have to make. Gorges creates a character where everyone feels her pain and wants to help her solve her problems. For her first novel, Gorges captivates the real teen angst that will move the reader. Don't let the size of the book fool you, because inside are some of the best words and sentences and paragraphs that you will ever read.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

I bought this book mid-November, 1980 while waiting to buy my last cartoon of cigarettes. The directions were simple and easy to follow. I'm happy to see it available again.

This book could put all the non-smoking patches, pills, etc. companies out of business.

Three other women I know also became non-smokers because of this book.

I stumbled onto Dr. Geisinger's book while looking for something else. I had tried to quit three times before--unsuccessfully. I followed the book's instructions and read a chapter per week/followed the recommendations for four weeks and guess what?!?! I became a non-smoker in one month and have not smoked nor even had the desire to since then! Oh, did I mention--I bought Dr. G's original release of "Kicking It..." back in November of 1980...

An easy to read , step by step guide to end the addiction of cigarette smoking. The author provides the strategies and skills necessary to help you quit as well as a justifiable, scathing indictment of the tobacco industry.

I bought the first edition of this book thirteen years ago, and was able to stop smoking easily, despite being very discouraged by many false starts and failures before.

It's well laid-out, addresses the urge to smoke on many different levels. The author has obviously thought through so many facets of smoking addiction and has come up with ingenious strategies for dealing with them all.

This is a real thinking smoker's self-help book.

Last Last put me off at first: it started out too clever by half, dazzling, and show-offy in its originality and writing. But as the book picked up speed and I settled into its brittle brilliance, its true shape emerged. Substance, emotional heft and authenticity began shining though.

It takes awhile to get this from book, and the reason is that Maazel follows a serpentine, wildly inventive plot line. It's skewed, screwball, entertaining, and off the wall. Hang in there and go along for the ride.

Superplague is killing the masses and bringing out the worst in human nature; oh, and it may have been released (accidentally) by the protagonist's father, a suicide.

That everyone is on the verge of being wiped out serves as the background drumming for the loopy adventures and characters. A mother-daughter detox stint in a Texas center called Bluebonnet. Asides by dead people who discuss their death and previous incarnations conversationally with the reader. Missed weddings, kosher chicken plants, true loves who have the temerity to marry one's best friend thus leaving one with a second best, damaged-goods guy in mourning for the wife he killed while driving drunk (he wants someone else to bear the children of his deceased wife's eggs). A morbid, angry younger sister who's a cutter and a Christian, a Norse goddess-channeling crack-head wealthy mother...well, you get the idea. Or probably you don't, but you will if you give yourself over to it.

Last Last Chance is a recovery novel. BUT. It wraps itself around the fact that, clean or not, we don't recover from life itself, which is terminal. That 12 steppisms are cliches about which even those who get saved by them are ambivalent. And that we can, in the end, have hope and happiness --- not of the kind we predicted --- despite ourselves and the depredations and griefs of the world.

This is the depth-charge of truth-telling which lies beneath the razzle-dazzle writing and plot.

As Steve Usery, a reviewer on Facebook noted it's "the feelgood apocalyptic book of the year."

Even what was off-putting at the beginning turned out to be essential to the developing voice of the protagonist. Have a little patience with this one; you will be rewarded.

I was very impressed by this book. I think that Ms. Maazel has hit the heart of the matter when it comes to facing up to losses and tragedies of all sorts, and the role that addictions of all kinds play in how we approach loss. Her handling of a variety of characters, all wrestling with their personal demons, or getting a chance to "take a breather" on the sidelines before their next incarnation, is spot-on. Despite the weight of her material, Ms. Maazel can write funny as hell, too, and I found myself laughing out loud many times, which is rare for me. I look forward to this talented writer's next book!

The compelling fantasy about a plague epidemic and depiction of an eccentric and disconnected family make Last Last Chance a great read in their own rights. But Fiona Maazel's greatest strength is the voice she gives to her protagonist, Lucy Clarke. She is sardonic and desperate. She is devoted to family and trapped in selfishness. Maazel deftly portrays the ambivalence, yearning and hopelessness of addiction and the cynicism felt by many addicts as they dip their toes into the recovering community pool. The recovery as reincarnation analogy she makes is aptly drawn.

Don't let the description on the dust jacket fool you. The reincarnation espousing grandmother, pagan crack-head mother, disease and Christian fundamentalism obsessed sister, the lover seeking a donor for his dead wife's fertilized eggs all make it appear to be a novel filled with absurd, flat caricatures. In fact, Maazel gives each a rich, logical and sad inner life. Any absurdity is just on the surface. You will admire and care for each of these people, even if you despise some of their behaviors.

I disagree with Publishers Weekly's criticism of the book's conclusion. Without giving away details, I'll simply say that any change in "tone" is consistent with how Lucy's life was changed by outside forces and by how she adapts despite and because of and those events.

i just finished this book and it was the funniest, saddest thing i've
read in i don't know how long. there's so much warmth and vitality and
insight here, and courage and fury and imagination and flat-out
terrific writing. wow.

This book was my introduction to Jeff Buick, who as it turns out, lives just up the road from me. The book started out with 5 short chapters of character introduction and a bit of an introduction to the medical storyline. Then the book started in on the meat and potatoes of the story. I found it an easy read, yet a suspenseful thriller. The reader was given many clues to try and puzzle out the "punch line" of the story, but it remained a mystery till almost the end. This was an enjoyable read and I'll definitely be looking up some other Buick books.

Lethal Dose is a well-written book full of clever twists and several sub-plots that all tie together nicely in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I think it stacks up favourably to many of John Grisham's thrillers. It's that good! Lethal Dose an easy book to read and one that kept me reading anxiously to find out what was going to happen next - and it kept me guessing right to the end. The characters are well developed and you do care for them and want the heroes to succeed. Jeff Buick has managed to fit action, adventure, suspense, romance, humour and even some gruesome murders into this book. If that wasn't enough, he threw in some corporate spying and a paid assasin or two just for fun. But it all works and keeps the pages turning. The pacing is great and I didn't know "who done it" until the very end. Buy this book! I am sure you will enjoy it.

Near Canyon Creek, Montana, self made-millionaire Gordon Buchanan, his brother Billy and others struggle to contain a fire that threatens to destroy his brand new sawmill. When Billy accidentally slices his leg to the bone with a saw, first aid fails to stop the bleeding. Gordon is stunned to watch his sibling die in spite of doing everything right. Billy's blood simply failed to coagulate like it should have.

Gordon cleans out Billy's house only to find strange green pills Triaxcion prescribed by highly regarded Dr. Hastings of Butte. He learns from the doctor that the drug is making a fortune for its manufacturer Veritas Pharmaceutical of Richmond, Virginia; it used to prevent baldness. Gordon has a nagging feeling that the drug killed his sibling by preventing his blood from coagulating. The legal system offers no relief since the drug company is "protected" by the FDA. The company CEO Bruce Andrews refuses to listen to Gordon claiming he grieves by seeking culpability elsewhere. As Gordon continues to dig he gains an ally Jennifer Pearce of Veritas and begins to find evidence of deadly foul play.

LETHAL DOSE is a tense thriller that will shake up the audience with the recent withdrawals of drugs due to adverse deadly side effects. The story line is at its best when Gordon, who has more going for him than most people would believe, takes on the Fortune 500 giant. When the tale spins into a murder thriller, it remains an exciting action packed tale, but loses some of its condemnation steam of pointing fingers at the American pharmaceutical-government incest. Still Jeff Buick writes a thought provoking suspense filled novel.

Harriet Klausner

Gordon Buchannan is the owner of a huge sawmill complex in Montana. He
has done very well. His brother Billy cuts himself with a power saw while
trying to combat a forest fire. Billy bleeds to death because his blood
will not clot. Gordon discovers a prescription drug called Triaxcion at
Billy's home. Upon investigating he finds that the drug is to stem baldness and is manufactured by Veritas Pharmaceutical. This leads to his
meeting Jennifer Pearce a Ph.D researcher who works for Veritas. They team
up and discover major corruption at Veritas. The CEO Bruce Andrews is
actually having people killed. There is also a huge outbreak of a disease
called hemorrhagic virus. This outbreak is blamed on a terrorist cell.
This turns out to be a giant conspiracy that Gordon and Jennifer encounter. Without question they are faced off with the forces of evil.
This is a very exciting read that I enjoyed. I have never read a bad Jeff Buick book.

This is the splendid autobiography of Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangrol (1781-1851), a yogi who wandered far and wide expressing his realization, as a fully accomplished adept of the Great Completion (Dzogchen).

From the Foreword by HH the Dalai Lama: "Regarded by many as the greatest yogi after Milarepa to gain enlightenment in one lifetime (...) as source of inspiration to Buddhist practitioners and general readers alike." HH Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche: "As one reads it, one's mind cannot resist being turned toward the Dharma."

This autobiography is full of humor, wit and playful joy, intense self-discipline as well as magnificant flights of imagination. An accessible book full of telling stories, a must-read, must-own for those interested.

"Man -
If you have any self-respect,
A heart in your chest,
Brains in your head, and
Some sympathy for yourself,
Regret your past actions and
Improve your whole behavior.
It's time! It's very late!
- Shabkar

Never have I come across such an inspiring piece of buddhist literature. Plan on having your life and your practice changed forever after reading the life story of this amazing yogin.

Considered as one of the master works of Tibetan religious heritage.
For people who have a connection with Tibetan Buddhism this book is a true treasure. And, dear vegetarians, you are right :-), many Tibetan Buddhists might prefer to ignore the fact, but Shabkar as a non sectarian Tibetan yogi gave up eating meat for the rest of his live when he was 27 years based on his sincere conviction that a Buddhist - at a certain stage - should gave up "the negative act of eating the flesh of beings" (p.232). See also his book Food of Bodhisattvas: Buddhist Teachings on Abstaining from Meat, ISBN 1590301161.

Matthieu Ricard has created a work of art. Remaining true to the poetic beauty of the Tibetan original he has for the first time presented this important work to the west. Also, his notes and appendixes on historical and buddhist backgrounds are invaluable. For the first time the reader is presented with the life of a Tibetan saint and his lineage formerly largely unknown among western students of Tibetan buddhism. A tuely inspiring page-turner !

This book has everything you need to know about the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse. It gives spicific reasons why you cannot kick these habits without professioal help. Not being well versed on these subjects it was very informative. It shows the author did extensive reserch on these subjects. I will pass this book on to my friends and family.

This book is appropriate for those who need a quick introduction to the problems of addiction. Its intent is not to go into depth on any one topic but to give the reader a brief synopsis of the issue so they can go and read further into the topic if necessary. This book might be good for family and friends entering an Alanon Family group to give them a rudimentary understanding of the disease of addiction.

EVERYONE IN EVERY FAMILY MUST HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS SUFFERING, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILY, WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OF SOME SORT. THE QUESTION ALWAYS IS WHAT CAN WE DO? WELL THIS BOOK TELLS YOU WHAT YOU CAN DO. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU ALL THE OPTIONS YOU CAN TAKE IN EITHER HELPING YOURSELF OR GIVING IT TO SOMEONE WHO IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF BEING SAVED.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR RESEARCH AND YOUR IMPORTANT MESSAGE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

The Life Tips collection is a wonderful opportunity to be a 'catch all' type of reference book. Not claiming to be all encompassing, it IS a good tool for the user.

Blythe has a breezy, conversational writing style, and the tips she collected include those for the health care professional, counselor, and recovering person. It lends itself well as a starting point for research and discussion.

If another printing is done, I hope some of the simple typos can be corrected (Editor!), but they don't detract from the purpose or direction of the author's work.

Worthwhile.

"I am truly fascinating and will now convince you of it by explaining how lsd affects the brain." Please, I'm sure you are fascinating but, could you just review the book?

LSD is truly an amazing book. No doubt the best book ever written on the subject of LSD synthesis. It is very comprehensive, describing the construction of all precursors from common materials. The illustrations are beautiful. There are quotes and descriptions from psychotherapists who personally used LSD in their practice. The text is small print, packed with multiple formulas that have been used by the actual manufacturers. Complete with graphic pictures of tablet machines and sheeting equipment. This first edition is sure to become a classic; collectible by all those interested in the subject of psychedelics. I really enjoy it and would recommend LSD (the book) to everyone.

The effect of LSD and other psychedelics is a fascinating area of study, and unfortunately, due to the failure of the legal system to keep up with the pace of neuroscience, very little research has been done in this area since the advent of modern scientific technology such as the fMRI (and what a shame it is!)

It is with that caveat that I must say the previous reviewer is either mistaken or simply not up-to-date with the current hypotheses as to how LSD and other indoleamine psychedelics affect the brain. Perhaps the previous reviewer may be interested in checking out the latest research, what little of it there is.

The idea that LSD is merely affecting the retinal cells does not make any sense in that it does not account for most of the subjective effects of the drug. Since sustained firing of retinal cells may account for the visual short-term sensory store (an effect that causes some degree of "trails" in all people) then perhaps LSD's effect of elongated "trails" is caused by this. However, it cannot account for anything else, and LSD certainly has myriad other effects: visual, auditory, emotional, cognitive, you name it.

Current literature states that LSD acts on a variety of 5-HT type (serotonin) receptors. The serotonin pathways originate in the raphe nuclei and spread throughout the cortical and sub-cortical areas; consequently, LSD may act on these pathways throughout the brain. Not only that, but LSD and similar compounds have been shown to have noradrenergic and dopaminergic effects, including effects on the locus coeruleus, a system that also extends pathways throughout the brain and acts as a modulator for such functions as emotion and arousal.

And finally, for many people, LSD truly is a mind-expanding experience. The effect it has certainly depends on the person taking the drug, their mindset, their openness to new experiences, etc. But regardless, LSD has the potential to, at the very least, shock the user into experiencing a new way of perceiving the world and the self, shaking to the core any previous assumptions that the world is exactly as they see it and they see it exactly as it is. For many, this can be truly valuable.

All that being said, this book is chock-full of information and as such is an extremely welcome addition to current psychedelic literature. This is a vastly under-studied topic, and new information whether related to neuroscience, or pure chemistry, or potentials for psychotherapy, is all extremely helpful for the growing academic and spiritual interest in this subject.

This is a detailed book on the chemistry, manufacture, and physiological effects of LSD. It includes comments by doctors and therapists who have used it in their practice, and information on some of the other medical uses. For example, until I saw this book, I wasn't aware that it had an application in the treatment of specialized stroke-like migraines, which is how the author first became involved with the drug. So apparently there is at least one legitimate medical use of the drug, if one credits the information and statements here.

I personally never understood the fascination with LSD. All it's really doing is altering the chemical reactions in the lower strata and cells of the retina, the retina being composed neuronally of the rods and cones, amacrine cells, bipolar cells, Muller cells, horizontal cells, and ganglion cells in more or less distinct layers, although there is some mixing to some extent. It's not even a retinal ganglional effect in the lateral geniculate nucleus, the main visual system ganglion, let alone a visual cortical effect. In other words, it's a pretty primitive effect that occurs "up front" at the sensory transducer of the visual system and doesn't affect, at least from a perception and sensation standpoint, the advanced visual information processing centers further down the line.

Now if there was something that actually affected the three cortical primary visual receiving areas in the occipital lobe, or cytoarchitectonic areas 17, 18, and 19 of Brodmann, you'd really have something, maybe something really mind expanding and mind blowing, instead of what you have with LSD.

And as for LSD being mind-expanding, well, it certainly is perception-altering, but the people I knew back in the 60s who took it certainly didn't became any brighter or more brilliant taking it, from what I could see. On the other hand, they seemed to think it was something important. Still, they didn't seem any more perceptive, creative, insightful, or smarter to me, although they often thought so. As someone once observed about Aldous Huxley's book, The Doors of Perception, in which he reported on his experiences, it wasn't so much that LSD helped him write more and better, so much as it helped him write more about LSD.

Anyway, I apologize for waxing a little nerdy, but the neurobiology of perception and sensation is a subject I know something about, that having been my area of interest for my master's and doctoral work. Although I've been out of school for a while, this was the consensus on the neurophysiological effects of LSD at the time, and perhaps you'll find my comments there useful.

Philip Harris' A Maine Christmas Carol, a modern retelling of the Dickensian fable of Christmas' past, present, and future in a middle class New England setting is a holiday treat for readers of all ages. The spirit of the original story is cleverly unraveled in a more up to date but equally grim narration of the experiences of a blighted contemporary Scrooge named Thomas as he "sees" Christmas with his spirit guides.
The classic unfolding of the life of a beleaguered and very ill-spirited young man faced with the consequences of his own self-serving actions is cleverly layered with messages aimed at the socially irresponsible of our own life and times. A Maine Christmas Carol is a powerful parable of the ills of progressive society left to exist unchecked and held unaccountable. Through the eyes of the spirit guides, Thomas sees that while he is not responsible for the happiness of others, his actions do deeply impact all those who come in contact with him. From the local shop owners to his eight-year-old sister, his exploits leave a deep and lasting impression. Even more critical to note is the tsunami-like wave affect his acts, deeds, and lack of achievement has on those he will never meet. What he does not do with his life is just as significant as what he has done so far in his 16 years.
In Harris' A Maine Christmas Carol, a new family tradition is born. The easy conversational writing style, the logical flow of the story, and the twist to the original story makes this book a new classic that will go on the shelves right next to Dickens' original morality tale. Harris does a marvelous job of weaving Thomas' profound experience of redemption with the underlying themes of social justice and poverty. A Maine Christmas Carol is explicit in demonstrating the relationship of the privileged class in our country who has failed to address the social issues facing our society. Philip Harris has clearly and unequivocally produced a rich allegory that redefines the importance of Christmas to a new generation of readers.

A Maine Christmas Carol is the modern retelling of Dickens's classic. Set in the small picturesque town of Hallowell, it is the story of TJ, a lost teenage boy. Left fatherless by the war in Iraq he withdraws from his family and the world into the land of drugs and surliness. His younger brother and sister adore him but he is not willing to let their caring affect him. His mother has retreated into her job as a social worker, tying up her feelings of loss by helping others who have it even worse.

The story takes place on Christmas Eve. In the face of a raging Maine snowstorm TJ's family decides to spend the night at their uncle's house. He refuses to go with them instead choosing to spend it home alone, stoned as usual. It is then that his father comes to him, apologizing for leaving him so often as a child. He tells TJ that during the night three spirits will visit him. And so arrive the three ghosts of Christmas- past, present and future. Each shows TJ the effects of his behavior on others. He is shown that he too has a role in the world, in his family and his community. Each person can make a difference, even when they chose not to be involved. TJ begins as the poster child for youth at its most callow and ends as youth at its most caring.

A Maine Christmas Carol is a moving replay of the Christmas classic. It comes to life in its portrayal of the character of TJ, a realistic portrait of a disenfranchised youth. He struggles to deal with the loss of his father and fears loving his family in case he loses them also. By becoming totally self absorbed he only has to think about himself, by putting down others he maintains his wall of uncaring. The author, Phillip Harris, has managed to create a sympathetic, understandable character even as TJ scares the elderly and young children alike.

A strong, thorough and meaningful plot is enveloped within of these pages. At around 100 pages it is a poignant and timely reminder of the meaning of caring in today's world. Its well chosen words enable a full length novel to inhabit the pages of a novella. In the guise of the well loved tale it reminds us of the effects of modern life, its drugs, wars and poverty, on its people. It gives us the hope and optimism that is much needed in our contemporary world.

This will be a holiday treat for Maine and the country. Put up the holiday lights of all nations, light the fireplace and curl up with this dose of hope.

Now, this book is really cool. I wasn't sure initially how another make-over of the old Scrooge tale would work out, but author Phil Harris has really spun a relevent-for-today twist to the traditional fable. A troubled misfit teenage druggie is the new Scrooge, and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future are ... well, read for yourself, I don't want to spoil your fun. It's a reading experience that will have you riveted and thoroughly enjoying your time on the couch.

You really could re-name this charming little book "The Main Christmas Carol," because it is what quintessential Christmas Spirit is all about, and re-delivers in today's context the message of compassion and love that we should all strive to display with our lives every day of every year.

A Maine Christmas Carol had me mesmerized from the first page. While loosely based on the traditional Christmas Carol, Philip Harris has brought the story into today's world and given it some unique twists that make it a brand new story.

Anyone with kids, gramdkids or even anyone who knows someone with kids needs to pick up a copy of this book. It is one that you will find yourself reading over and over again.
Joyce A. Anthony
author of Storm

Dr. Cohen has written a book that can help individuals avoid most probems with medications- while at the same time being sure to get the most benifit from the lowest dose of drug.

I have often had problems with medication in the past- and this book gave me a simple and clear technique for avoiding those problems.

Problems with drugs are responsible for more deaths each year than autos and guns combined- and most of those deaths can be avoided by using the simple plan given in "How To Make Your Medicin Safe"- I give it my highest rating!!!

Dr. Cohen's book is an excellent resource for doctors, patients and family members. The information is current and the writing is easy-to understand. At selfhypnosis.com we always recommend that people learn relaxation, meditation or selfhypnosis for the selfcare portion of their treatment. Of course, medicines are an important part of most conditions. I have been working in healthcare for over 20 years and Dr. Cohen's book is my #1 choice for people to be intelligent about what they are getting from the pharmacy for themselves or their family members. If you take medication, you need expert advice. We all need and will benefit from a 2nd opinion. My recommendation is Dr. Cohen and his book, Make Your Medicines Safe.

I thought this book made a lot of sense. I finally understand why I have had so many problems with medication. I highly recommend this book for all physicians and the general public. This book is literally a lifesaver. Those people who have experienced side effects from medication will find this book invaluable.

This book is the only one available that not only discusses medication side effects, but tells you how to PREVENT them. With over 500 pages of information based on nearly 1000 medical references, the book explains: Why side effects occur and how to avoid them; Why different people respond differently to drugs; How you can tell whether you may be sensitive to a medication; Why the rate of side effects is so high; What you and your doctor can do to avoid side effects in medications you may need to take; The lowest effective doses for over 150 top-selling drugs including Prozac, Zocor, Claritin, Vasotec, Pravachol, Norvasc, Paxil, and many others; What the drug industry and medical profession and FDA must do to curb the high incidence of medication side effects.

This book is not against medications or doctors or anyone else. It simply shows why our system of developing and prescribing drug is outdated -- and how it can be changed. Medication side effects are the #4leading cause of death in the U.S. Many of these reactions and millions of others can be prevented. I am the author, so I am biased, admittedly, but I am a university-affiliated professor who is well respected and has published in medical journals. This is a solid, scientific book.

This book is not just for people who do drugs, but for anyone who wants the violence that the illegal drug trade brings to stop. It has some conspiracy theorys, but they are backed up by facts. I found this book inspirational, because while reading it I wanted to go out and alter the drug laws. I recommend this book to everyone, because it helps clear up some of the propoganda that the government has been feeding us for many years. There also is a web site www.maximizingharm.com with more information (it's free, go there now!)

Steve Young explains in an easy to understand format, how US drug policy is clearly responsible for everything it is supposed to prevent. The book is a treasure trove of facts, which paint a stinging indictment of America's most terrible pork-barrel disaster and exposes those who cash in at the expense of a nation, the drug war profiteers.

"Maximizing Harm" is a must read. Makes a great gift, for those who just can't seem to see through the smoke and mirrors of the drug war facade.

Meticulously documented scholarly treatises are supposed to be dull. Not this time. In making his case for ending our government's 25-year war against drugs, Stephen Young has written a book that is fascinating, shocking, frustrating, heartbreaking, sometimes downright horrifying - but never dull.

Young tells us that dozens of attempts to eradicate the use of drugs have been documented throughout the ages - including executions of tobacco users in 17th century Russia. All of them failed.

Lest you think that we have become wiser and more civilized in recent times, Young points out that as recently as 1989, William Bennett, the nation's drug czar at the time, while appearing on the "Larry King Live" show agreed with a caller who suggested that drug dealers be beheaded

In such a climate, Young argues, it is not hard to understand how our civil liberties have been among the first casualties of the drug war with mandatory harsh sentences for drug users, resulting in the overcrowding of our prison system. The eighth amendment is supposed to stop "cruel and unusual punishment," yet we are now seeing multi-year sentences for possession of small amounts of illegal drugs.

Ever hear of Melinda George? Neither did I until I read this book. She is serving a 99-year prison sentence for the sale of one-tenth of a gram of cocaine!

To relieve the prison overcrowding caused by prisoners such as Melinda George, we have seen reduced sentences and early releases for non-drug offenders, including violent criminals. This puts career criminals back on the streets sooner, ready to commit more crimes.

Young poses the question, why does this counterproductive drug war continue? He suggests the answer: That certain powerful special interest groups benefit by its continuance, like large pharmaceutical companies that would suffer financially if certain of their drugs were forced to compete with a cheaper and more effective medicine such as marijuana.

I urge everyone to read this book!

This is the first book I've read on this topic, and the author was able to sway me to believe that the war against drugs is not only harmfull, but worse than the actually drugs themselves. I really don't have time to write more, because I'm suppost to be writing a 5 page book report, but this book was worth every penny. It is a wide collection of data from a variety of sources and it brings up ideas that aren't even thought of in our "just say no" generation. I really wish people would take time to read a book like this, because its really easy to just sit back and think "the drug war is a neccesity" when you have the information the government keeps spewing out. The truth is that the drug war doesn't stop drug use, it increases drug use and the harm associated with it..

I'm not 100% converted, but this book has got me off to a great start. Thanks.

-Seth