by Liz Byrski

new book 178 pages

This book attempts to put the drug problem in perspective for the reader who has little or no knowledge of the subject.

A major purpose of the book is to increase understanding of the fact that drug addiction and dependency, although generally viewed as forms of social protest, are, in fact, the extreme results of our present drug taking behavior, based on habits rooted in conformity and convention. An important theme of the book is that the reasons people use, abuse and become dependent on, or addicted to, drugs are more important than the drugs themselves.

Pills, Potions, People provides a broad overview of drug use and social attitudes towards them, including social, recreational, over the counter and prescription drugs and illegal substances. Other sections deal with indiviual drugs, both legal and illegal, looking at the history of their use and the ways they are used today.