Cocaine & Crack: The New Epidemic

Based on Chelsea House Publisher's ten-volume Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs, which is found in the reference collections of many high school and public libraries, The Video Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs (comprised of ten videocassettes) uses the more accessible medium of video to drive home the facts about drugs to audiences. Cocaine & Crack: The New Epidemic is an introduction to cocaine, the drug of choice during the 80s, and its inexpensive and dangerous offshoot, crack. Beginning with a historical perspective, the program traces the 3,000 year history of cocaine which has long found favor with tribal peoples indigenous to South America, as well as modern civilization over the past hundred years. Sigmund Freud was an outspoken proponent of the beneficial aspects of cocaine, and Coca-Cola used to contain the drug, prior to the 1914 Harrison Narcotics Act which outlawed the substance. Chris E. Johanson, Ph.D., an Associate Professor with the American Psychological Association, defines cocaine and crack, discusses their use, and together with other health experts, covers the physical and psychological effects of the drugs. Current statistics and up-to-date information make this a good choice for both junior and senior high school libraries as well as public libraries. Our only quibble was that the experts interviewed for the program were obviously reading from a script--this tended to lend a rote-like quality to their testimony. The other programs in the series are: Alcohol & Alcoholism, Alcohol: Teenage Drinking, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Heroin, Marijuana, Nicotine, Prescription Narcotics, and Teenage Depression & Suicide. Recommended. (Available from: Library Video Company, P.O. Box 1110, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004; 1-800-843-3620.)