Summary

For better or worse, drugs are a part of everyday life. Teens encounter them on the street, in school, and at home, and although many drugs are beneficial when used properly, the potential for abuse and misuse is great. The best route to staying safe and healthy is to be informed. Understanding Drugs provides a fact-based look at many of the drugs that teens encounter, explaining how they work and identifying the risks and benefits of using them.

Each title in this series spotlights a drug of abuse, such as alcohol or Ecstasy, or a therapeutic drug, such as antidepressants or cancer treatment drugs. Written in straightforward language, the books break down the biological and chemical processes relevant to each drug, give the history of the drug, discuss the risks of using or abusing it, and guide readers toward reliable help for dealing with a drug-related problem. Dramatic "you-are-there" case studies show how drugs impact real life, and sidebars offer supplementary facts, compelling statistics, and historical information.