"Drugs and Drug Policy: The Control of Consciousness Alteration" provides a cross-national perspective on the regulation of drug use by examining and critiquing drug policies in the United States and abroad in terms of their scope, goals, and effectiveness. In this engaging text, authors Clayton J. Mosher and Scott Akins discuss the physiological, psychological, and behavioral effects of legal and illicit drugs; the patterns and correlates of use; and theories of the causes of drug use. It offers more coverage of drug policy issues than competitive books. This book addresses the number of significant developments over the last few decades that suggest the dynamics of drug use and policies to deal with drug use are at a critical juncture.The book also considers the issue of American exceptionalism with respect to drug policies through a detailed analysis of emerging drug polices in other Western nations. It makes explicit comparisons between legal and illegal drugs. Due to their prevalence of use, this book devotes considerable attention to the use and regulation of legal drugs in society. The book illustrates that commonly prescribed medications are similar to drugs that are among the most feared and harshly punished in society and that drug-related problems do not necessarily result from particular drugs, but from how drugs are used.It includes many pedagogical tools. With chapter opening photos and more photos throughout, this text presents material in a student-friendly fashion. Highlight boxes provide interesting examples for readers; encourage further emphasis on issues; and serve as important topics for in class writing exercises. In addition, Internet exercises and review questions reinforce key points made in the chapter and prompt classroom discussion. This core textbook is designed for any advanced undergraduate or graduate course examining drug use, abuse, and policy in the departments of Sociology, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Social Work, Psychology, and Public Health. It is also an excellent supplemental text in Political Science and Public Administration courses focusing on public policy, as well as a perfect resource for anyone interested in policy issues, and drugs in particular.

Table of Contents

Drug Controversies and Demonization Theories of Drug Use The Effects of Drugs (Part I) The Effects of Drugs (Part II) Patterns of Illegal Drug Use Patterns of Legal Drug Use Policies Regulating Illegal Drugs Drug Prevention Programs Drug Treatment Policies Regulating Legal Drugs - Part I - Alcohol and Tobacco Policies Regulating Legal Drugs - Part II - Prescription and Performance Enhancing Drugs and Herbal Supplements Drug Policies in Other Countries and United States Influence

Author Biography

Clayton Mosher received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Toronto, and is currently a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Sociology at Washington State University Vancouver. He is the author of several books and articles in the areas of inequality in criminal justice system processing, drugs and drug policies, and the impact of prison construction on employment. Besides co-authoring the Second Edition of Drugs and Drug Policy, he co-authored the Second Edition of The Mismeasure of Crime (SAGE, 2012) with Terance Miethe and Timothy Hart. Scott Akins received his Ph.D. in sociology at Washington State University in 2002 and is currently Associate Professor of Sociology at Oregon State University. His research interests include drug use and policy; immigration, drug use and crime; and the intersection of disadvantage, ethnicity, and crime. His recent work has been published in Justice Quarterly and the Journal of Drug Issues.