CRJU 3521: Drugs, Alcohol, and Crime

This two-volume encyclopedia provides accessibly written coverage on a wide range of topics, covering substances ranging from whiskey to peyote as well as related topics such as Mexican drug trafficking and societal effects caused by specific drugs. The entries also supply an excellent overview of the history of temperance movements in Canada and the United States; trends in alcohol consumption, its production, and its role in the economy; as well as alcohol's and drugs' roles in shaping national discourse, the creation of organizations for treatment and study, and legal responses.

This encyclopedia presents an overview of the entire history of alcohol in America from the first colonies to present day, focusing on the often-marginalized and pop culture aspects of alcohol use and misuse. Entries illuminate topics such as the favorite alcoholic beverages in America; how they are manufactured; the role of alcohol in everyday life, special events, and across history; the impacts of alcohol consumption on society and health; and much more. Connections and influences from outside the United States are also considered for some topics.

The global drug trade is one of the most prominent examples of the law of supply and demand. Despite such countermeasures as the execution of narcotics dealers in China and the United States's much-ballyhooed "War on Drugs," drug traffickers have always managed to meet the demand and satisfy an ever-growing customer base. In addition to offering a wealth of little-known facts, The War on Drugs also covers major dealers, cartels, organizations, smuggling and anti-smuggling strategies, major miscalculations and disasters, drug epidemics, legal restraints, famous incidents, and more.

This comprehensive reference guide describes more than 130 alphabetically arranged drugs of abuse, including both pharmaceutical and natural products. The book begins with a discussion of federal drug scheduling and drug categories. Individual entries for particular substances of abuse follow. Drug descriptions include: correct pronunciation, nicknames or street names, legal status, historical and present uses and misuses, abuse factors, interactions with other drugs, and findings of cancer risks and birth defects.