Reviews

Gr 4-8-This volume does a nice job filling a minor gap in drug information and abuse literature. It begins with a history of depressants, including opium, alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers, and discusses how each was discovered or developed and its impact. Clayton then goes into greater detail, giving the qualities and side effects of each, listing the common and scientific names of the more well-known types of narcotics and the forms in which they are found. The second half of the book describes how they affect the user's personality (denial, projection, minimizing, blaming, repression, anger, black outs, paranoia) and contrasts them with positive attitudes (willingness to work hard, determination, sobriety, and self-esteem). Each behavior is briefly described and then illustrated with a case history, positive or negative. These narratives tend to be a bit preachy, but do make their point and improve the readability of the presentation. The last chapter focuses on sources of help for abusers. Full-color and black-and-white photographs supplement the text throughout, and the writing is clear and concise. Those needing more overall information on drug abuse might try Margaret O. Hyde's Know About Drugs (Walker, 1990).-Joyce Adams Burner, formerly at Spring Hill Middle School, KS