9781422282441

CHAPTER ONE

DRUGS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

Whether they are prescribed for pain, carried illegally across international lines, or found in something as simple as a cup of coffee, drugs play a huge role in our culture. Debates rage about the function, legality, and potential dangers of drugs, and it can be difficult to separate myths from facts about specific drugs. It can also be hard to understand the difference between occasional drug use and a full-blown substance use disorder. In an attempt to keep kids from experimenting with dangerous substances, adults sometimes end up sounding like car alarms gone berserk—the louder they shout, the less any teenager wants to listen. Learning the facts about various types of drugs and the history of drug use is an important first step in making wise, safe choices.

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