Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Containing more than 450 entries, this easy-to-read encyclopedia provides concise information about the history of and recent trends in drug use and drug abuse in the United States--a societal problem with an estimated cost of $559 billion a year. Despite decades of effort and billions of dollars spent to combat the problem, illicit drug use in the United States is still rampant and shows no sign of abating. Covering illegal drugs ranging from marijuana and LSD to cocaine and crystal meth, this authoritative reference work examines patterns of drug use in American history, as well as drug control and interdiction efforts from the nineteenth century to the present.This encyclopedia provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the various aspects of the American drug problem, including the drugs themselves, the actions taken in attempts to curb or stop the drug trade, the efforts at intervention and treatment of those individuals affected by drug use, and the cultural and economic effects of drug use in the United States. More than 450 entries descriptively analyze and summarize key terms, trends, concepts, and people that are vital to the study of drugs and drug abuse, providing readers of all ages and backgrounds with invaluable information on domestic and international drug trafficking and use. The set provides special coverage of shifting societal and legislative perspectives on marijuana, as evidenced by Colorado and Washington legalizing marijuana with the 2012 elections.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

An enormous number of books on the subject of drugs and drug use have been published in recent decades. This three-volume encyclopedia offers an unparalleled, wide-angle perspective on that output with 468 alphabetically arranged, signed entries in short-essay format. The topics reflect the broad scope of historical, social, political, cultural, and legal aspects of drugs, drug use, and drug abuse in the US. The resource is a compilation of work from 25 contributors from diverse backgrounds in the health professions, research, and academia. Editors Marion and Oliver state that their audience is anyone interested in questions of drugs and their uses, but undergraduate students are certainly the primary focus of the publisher's standard encyclopedia format with a classified guide to topics, chronology of events, and selection of primary documents. The A-Z entries, written in a clear, concise voice appropriate for readers from various disciplinary backgrounds, also include suggested readings at the end of each to guide more in-depth research. The subject reach of the content is broad, covering such issues as current trends in drug use, key historical figures in drug wars, political and governmental aspects of drugs, legal decisions, and legislative reform. Volume 3 includes an appendix of 20 chronologically arranged government documents outlining steps the US government has taken to discourage illicit drug use and enforce its prosecution. This set compares favorably with similar reference works, such as David Fahey and Jon Miller's Alcohol and Drugs in North America: A Historical Encyclopedia (CH, Feb'14, 51-2997). That encyclopedia focused on 200 years of history; Marion and Oliver's work covers a broader time frame, with entries reflecting its comprehensive chronological listing of important events from 5000 BCE to 2013. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates; general readers. --Nathalie Reid, UCLA

Booklist Review

As its title suggests, this encyclopedia looks at drugs in American society from a multidisciplinary point of view. Academics, health practitioners, and researchers make up the contributor list, offering 468 alphabetically arranged entries. All are signed with bibliographies. Most are three pages long, and some have black-and-white photographs, tables, or text boxes. Some of the entries are from previous ABC-CLIO resources, and others are new.The encyclopedia attempts to cover the history of drug use and abuse from the nineteenth century to the present. A lengthy introduction provides an overview of the subject, while a chronology of significant events begins in 5000 BCE, demonstrating that this is not a new problem. Each volume includes a complete table of contents as well as a topical listing of articles. An appendix at the end of volume 3 offers 20 government documents in chronological order, providing an overview of federal attempts to enforce drug laws and discourage drug abuse. The entries cover a wide range of topics, including types of drugs and alcohol; addiction and use; drug trafficking; organizations and agencies; law enforcement and legislation; social and cultural issues; and drug treatment and research. Medical marijuana, abuse prevention, and youth issues are covered as well. This set offers a useful, accessible overview of a topic that is often in the news. Suitable for most high-school and public libraries.--Bibel, Barbara Copyright 2015 Booklist

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Nancy E. Marion , PhD, is a professor of political science at the University of Akron, Akron, OH. Willard M. Oliver , PhD, is a professor of criminal justice at Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice, Houston, TX.