Rating: 
Summary: Necessity for Those Entering Substance Abuse Arena
Review: As a college professor at Delgado in New Orleans, La., I found the book to be very informative and fact based for anyone interested in substance abuse and/or addictions. I am using this book as a text for a class entitled "Introduction to Substance Abuse". The authors are clear, concise and discuss various drugs (including alcohol) at differing levels of use. This is an excellent text book for those preparing to enter the prevention and treatment fields. If you are expecting to read that "all drugs are bad", and other typical statements, this book will not appease you. It has value for the professional interested in the field as well as the parent who may simply wish to be better informed on the current trends in the world of drugs and alcohol. Warren J. Perret,BSCW/BCSAC
Rating: 
Summary: Drug Recognition Experts should find it invaluable
Review: As a police officer (and Drug Recognition Expert), I found this book excellent. It provides real insight on both the scientific level and street use/abuse of some of the most common drugs. Each drug category is covered and special emphasis is given to particularly common drugs found on the street.It breaks down each of these and discusses numerous aspects of the drugs: brief history, common/slang names, discussion on who the typical user would most likely be and in what setting, addictive potential, description of effects, potential side effects and overdose information. The authors write in a good style that ANYONE can relate to (without being talked down to). It does it in a style that is not judgemental but tries to remain nuetral for informational purposes. Very insightful and highly recommended for anyone wishing to be better informed about drugs.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Breaks Through the Chaff
Review: As my review title states, this book targets an audience - one that wants to be well informed about drugs that are used and abused in our society. What sets this book apart from so many others (most notably government-issued literature about recreational drugs) is that its language isn't dry, bureaucratic, and unappealing. Instead, the authors have successfully made their points about the uses and abuses of recreational drugs without boring the reader into submission. A book of this nature that is actually entertaining and enlightening to read is a breakthrough! My one qualm with the book was with its lack of relevant informaton on steroids, which are definitely a drug that have been, and will continue to be, highly abused by many people the world over. The chapter on this drug class was brief and should have included more information about steroids from a user's point of view. However, it's worth noting that my library-issued copy was the 1998 version of the book, which has since been updated. So, I have given this book a strong reveiw because, frankly, it deserves it; I was able to read the book cover to cover in about a day and a half without feeling any boredom. As a result I feel better informed and more confident with my knowledge about recreational drugs.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Breaks Through the Chaff
Review: As my review title states, this book targets an audience - one that wants to be well informed about drugs that are used and abused in our society. What sets this book apart from so many others (most notably government-issued literature about recreational drugs) is that its language isn't dry, bureaucratic, and unappealing. Instead, the authors have successfully made their points about the uses and abuses of recreational drugs without boring the reader into submission. A book of this nature that is actually entertaining and enlightening to read is a breakthrough! My one qualm with the book was with its lack of relevant informaton on steroids, which are definitely a drug that have been, and will continue to be, highly abused by many people the world over. The chapter on this drug class was brief and should have included more information about steroids from a user's point of view. However, it's worth noting that my library-issued copy was the 1998 version of the book, which has since been updated. So, I have given this book a strong reveiw because, frankly, it deserves it; I was able to read the book cover to cover in about a day and a half without feeling any boredom. As a result I feel better informed and more confident with my knowledge about recreational drugs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant referance book
Review: Dispells some of the illusions about illegal and legal drugs without being preachy. For instance, while alchohol does not actually kill brain cells, its still not the breakfast of champions. A great book for those who want the unfettered truth about drugs and their dangers to your body. No slant, no guile, no horror stories. Just the hard facts. The interesting thing is that these are more than enough to keep most people off drugs.
Rating:
Summary: What educators and parents need to know.
Review: I am a deputy sheriff in a Southern California county of more than 2.5 million residents. For 3 years I have been educating children and adults about the dangers of drugs. Finding complete, factual information about drugs commonly abused was not an easy task. My search was complete when I read "BUZZED." No scare tactics, no outdated statistics, and complete information in both easy to understand language as well as scientific details. I believe it should be used as both a textbook and a reference source by law enforcement, educators and health care professionals. Since reading the book I have had the opportunity to speak to the authors who I find very accessible, knowledgeable and motivated to educate. I hope they will continue their research and I look forward to further editions.
Rating:
Summary: Great Primer On Many Aspects Of Addictive Substances
Review: I read this book as a casual user of marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine. This book has made me come to the realization that I will never use another illegal drug other than marijuana. I never knew the drugs that my classmates were using so carelessly were so destructive. What I like most about the book is the fact that the information is completely unbiased, and is just focused on giving you the straight facts. Information that you get from other, unreliable sources, such as Internet web sites, is so completely biased towards telling you how horrible drugs are, you begin to pick up that you are not being given the whole truth but rather what anti-drug people want you to believe. "Buzzed" gave me more incentive to never do hard drugs than those "unreliable" sources would ever have, even with their terrible drug horror stories. People are smart....just give them the information they need about something, and they will decide their actions from there. I reccomend this book to anyone taking any drugs (including marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine), or anyone considering taking a potentially dangerous recreational drug.
Rating:
Summary: Very good, unbiased information on recreational drugs
Review: I read this book as a casual user of marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine. This book has made me come to the realization that I will never use another illegal drug other than marijuana. I never knew the drugs that my classmates were using so carelessly were so destructive. What I like most about the book is the fact that the information is completely unbiased, and is just focused on giving you the straight facts. Information that you get from other, unreliable sources, such as Internet web sites, is so completely biased towards telling you how horrible drugs are, you begin to pick up that you are not being given the whole truth but rather what anti-drug people want you to believe. "Buzzed" gave me more incentive to never do hard drugs than those "unreliable" sources would ever have, even with their terrible drug horror stories. People are smart....just give them the information they need about something, and they will decide their actions from there. I reccomend this book to anyone taking any drugs (including marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine), or anyone considering taking a potentially dangerous recreational drug.
Rating:
Summary: Drug Recognition Experts should find it invaluable
Review: In a time where literature on illegal substance is usually limited to propaganda either for or against drugs, their legalization, etc.., this book provides a refreshing, unbiased account. The knowledge it provides on a drug's different effects on the body, the brain, one's emotional well-being, and its addictive potential prove to be invaluable. This is not a crusade against the use of substances, but it does not seek to glorify their use. Anyone planning on experimenting with any drug should at least read this book first. It allows an individual to weigh the risks from a more educated point of view as it dispels myths and delivers what it says it will: the straight facts. I would urge everyone involved in this area from policy makers to other students to buy this book and read it. I finished it in two days, and I'm a better-informed, more careful thinker because of it. Don't go to a party without it.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book -- it could save your life
Review: In a time where literature on illegal substance is usually limited to propaganda either for or against drugs, their legalization, etc.., this book provides a refreshing, unbiased account. The knowledge it provides on a drug's different effects on the body, the brain, one's emotional well-being, and its addictive potential prove to be invaluable. This is not a crusade against the use of substances, but it does not seek to glorify their use. Anyone planning on experimenting with any drug should at least read this book first. It allows an individual to weigh the risks from a more educated point of view as it dispels myths and delivers what it says it will: the straight facts. I would urge everyone involved in this area from policy makers to other students to buy this book and read it. I finished it in two days, and I'm a better-informed, more careful thinker because of it. Don't go to a party without it.
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