THE YOUNG ADULT DRUG LIBRARY

by Eric Benac

Alcohol abuse is a major problem throughout the world. It can cause depression and other mental health issues, physical illnesses, and even death in those who abuse it. In the U.S. approximately 140,000 people die each year from excessive alcohol use, but sensible use of alcohol provides some health benefits. The potential negatives and positives of alcohol use can be confusing for young people. Alcohol is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Eric Benac

Cocaine is an illegal stimulant that is refined from the leaves of the coca tree. It has a high risk of addiction, and those who abuse this drug can experience negative mental and physical side effects, and even death. In the U.S. alone, nearly 20,000 people die each year from a cocaine overdose. Cocaine is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Amy Sterling Casil

Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world have tried ecstasy, which has gained popularity as a party or club drug and is frequently sold and consumed at raves, festivals, and electronic and dance music concerts. Use of this illegal drug can cause dangerous health conditions like hyperthermia (overheating), as well as seizures and even death. Ecstasy is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Amy Sterling Casil

Among people aged 12 or older, 61.2 million people in the U.S. have used illicit drugs in the past year. People can misuse or become addicted to illegal drugs, like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. They can also misuse and become addicted to prescription drugs, including opioid pain relievers and drugs that are intended to relieve anxiety, like Xanax. On the other hand, drugs such as caffeine, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription painkillers provide health benefits if not misused. Facts & Figures is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. It provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. The other titles in the series spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in order to humanize these issues.

by Eric Benac

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used primarily for managing pain. It is legal to use fentanyl when prescribed by a doctor and purchased from a pharmacy. Many people use fentanyl to manage pain problems, but it can be very dangerous if misused. In the United States, nearly 100,000 people die each year from fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Amy Sterling Casil

Heroin is an illegal, semi-synthetic drug made from opium poppies. It is considered one of the most addictive drugs available because of its fast interaction with the body’s natural opioid system. About 750,000 people use heroin in the U.S. each year. Heroin is more dangerous today than ever, because it can be mixed with stronger opioid drugs like fentanyl, leading to fatal overdoses. Heroin is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Eric Benac

“Marijuana” refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. It is smoked as a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug. It can also refer to other products of the psychoactive cannabis plant, including extracts, oils, and concentrates. If abused, marijuana can cause negative physical and mental health issues, but studies have found that this drug has positive benefits such as reducing inflammation, pain, and anxiety and in the treatment of conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome. More than 40 states have legalized medical marijuana in some form, and recreational marijuana use is legal throughout Canada, and in more than 20 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. Marijuana is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Amy Sterling Casil

Methamphetamine, also called “meth,” is a powerful stimulant that can cause lasting or permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Meth is implicated in the overdose deaths of about 20,000 people in the U.S. every year. While meth does have limited medical uses, illegal meth is growing stronger and more addictive, because drug cartels have refined the ways that they make it in order to sell more of it and create more addicted customers. Methamphetamine is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Eric Benac

Painkillers are prescription drugs that people take to manage pain after injuries or surgeries, as well as illegal opiates such as heroin that are also used for pain. Approximately 9.3 million people in the U.S. misuse prescription pain relievers each year. Painkiller addiction can lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral problems. Understanding these different issues is important, because these symptoms can interact with each other and cause worse problems as a result. Painkillers is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.

by Eric Benac

Caffeine is one of the most heavily produced, distributed, and used drugs in the world. It is common not only in many food products but also in many medicines. Caffeine is often used for its many emotional and physical health benefits, but overuse can cause negative mental and physical health effects. Caffeine is one of ten titles in the Young Adult Drug Library series. Nine titles spotlight a major drug or type of drug (such as painkillers); discuss the negative physical and mental effects of the addiction on the addict and the potential benefits of their use (for certain legal drugs); and provide an overview of treatment strategies for the addiction. The last title, Facts & Figures, provides readers with the “big picture” regarding drugs, including their pros and cons; how they are made, distributed, sold, and used; why they are abused or misused; and treatment options for those who become addicted. Stories of those who are battling drug addiction are also featured in the series in order to humanize these issues.