Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of the legalization of recreational drugs. According to this paper, the use of recreational drugs has become increasingly popular in the United States and there is no compelling reason to believe that this trend will not continue. The paper examines the arguments in favor of recreational drug legalization versus the arguments against the legalization of recreational drug use. Specifically, the paper considers the costs of enforcing tough laws against the legalization of recreational drugs and weigh this cost against the social and fiscal price society pays as a result of individuals engaging in pernicious behavior brought about at least in part by the abuse of recreational drugs.

Tags:drug, legalization, arguments

Abstract
This paper discusses prescribed drug abuse. Looking back on the 14th Century will show that alcohol was the recreational drug with few prescription drugs available, but since the 14th Century the increase of prescription drug abuse has increased. The focus of the case study of Hannah McCoy discusses how the disorder affects people and solutions to prevent prescription drug abuse in adolescents.

From the Paper
The Problem of Prescription Drug Abuse Approximately two million adolescents have abused prescription drugs with over 20,000 deaths in 2004 because many teenagers believe that prescription drugs are safe ("Teens and Prescription Drugs," 2007, p. 2). Prescription drug abuse is the intentional abuse of different prescription drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives ("Teens and Prescription Drugs," 2007, p. 1). Looking back on the 14^th Century will show that alcohol was the recreational drug with few prescription drugs available, but since the 14^th Century the increase of prescription drug abuse has increased. The focus of the case study of

Tags:adolescents, drug, treatment

Abstract
" Recreational drug and alcohol abuse is a major social and medical issue in the United States today. While this problem has garnered significant attention by researchers of public policy initiatives, economics, and the social sciences, relatively little research has been done to explain the cognitive effects of drug abuse. However, recently there has been increased momentum by cognitive scientists to illuminate how the brain is physiologically affected by substance abuse, and the body of research material exploring the effects of drug abuse has grown significantly. "

From the Paper
Cognitive Implications of Drug Abuse on Thinking and Memory Recreational drug and alcohol abuse is a major social and medical issue in the United States today. While this problem has garnered significant attention by researchers of public policy initiatives, economics, and the social sciences, relatively little research has been done to explain the cognitive effects of drug abuse. However, recently there has been increased momentum by cognitive scientists to illuminate how the brain is physiologically affected by substance abuse, and the body of research material exploring the effects of drug abuse has grown significantly. Grohman and Fals-Stewart (2004) find significantly increased rates of

Tags:drug, abuse, memory

Abstract
This paper examines the arguments both in favor of legalizing recreational drug use and in opposition to its legalization. The author of the paper then draws his own conclusion, based on the arguments reviewed, that for the overall good of society, we should not decriminalize illicit narcotics.

From the Paper
"In 1920 the sale and consumption of alcohol was criminalized across the United States pursuant to the 18th Amendment. Consumer demand nevertheless presented a ripe opportunity for criminal usurpation of the illicit production and distribution of alcohol. Consequently, by the time Prohibition was subsequently repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933, the criminal enterprises that it had spawned were so firmly entrenched into the landscape of the American economy that most of them still retain considerable power even today (Dershowitz, 2002)."

Tags:prohibition, 18th, amendment, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, addiction, crime, unrestricted

Abstract
This paper discusses various recreational drugs which are illegal, their effects and legislation which prohibits their use. In particular, the paper uses the examples of heroin and cocaine as illegal drugs, further noting the Harrison Narcotic Tax Act which outlawed the unregulated use of cocaine. Additionally, the paper gives a brief history describing the use of certain drugs in the US and discusses their original uses. The paper critically examines marijuana being considered illegal, comparing it to alcohol. The paper concludes by addressing the prevalence of illegal methamphetamine laboratories, which have become a significant problem, especially in poor rural communities in the US.

Outline:

Cocaine and Heroin - Evolving Legislation, Classification, and Uses
Comparing the Harm Reduction and No Tolerance Approach to recreational Drug Use
Methamphetamines and Rural Areas

From the Paper
"On one hand, contemporary American laws allow the commercial production, distribution, and sale of alcohol, which is addictive when misused and also capable of causing tremendous public harm in the form of drunk driving. In that regard, tobacco is even more harmful, accounting for more preventable deaths in the U.S. every year than all medical ailments, drunk driving, and all forms of crime, combined (Dershowitz, 2002).
"While cocaine and heroin may associated with enough potential danger to justify control through certain criminal legislation, similar prohibition of other recreational drugs such as marijuana is much harder to justify. As is the case with alcohol, marijuana use in conjunction with socially irresponsible conduct such as driving under its influence should be penalized for public safety policy. However, the recreational use of marijuana in private is not sufficiently dangerous (or different from the private use of alcohol) to justify criminalization. In fact, in addition to several legitimate medicinal uses now authorized in California and other states (at the state level but not federally), marijuana has long been considered as a productive stimulant of intellectual and artistic creativity. The renowned late astronomer Carl Sagan was an avid marijuana smoker who credited the drug with helping him produce some of his best work, although he could never publicly acknowledge such use for political reasons during his lifetime."

Tags:methamphetamines, recreational drugs, heroin, marijuana

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in the U.S., the cocaine trade is responsible for tremendous allocation of public funds to law enforcement necessary to combat the drug trade at the expense of other crucial efforts, such as the War on Terror. Further, the writer discusses that cocaine is highly addictive and associated with numerous medical and other physiological consequences of its use. The writer looks at the different forms of cocaine and the effects of the use of this drug. The writer concludes that ultimately, cocaine is an extremely dangerous drug whose recreational use is associated with serious addiction capable of ruining lives; any short-term excitement or euphoria it produces are far outweighed by its long-term consequences, both to user and to society.

Outline:
Introduction
Reason's for Selecting Topic
The Effects of Cocaine Use

From the Paper
"The most destructive form of cocaine is "free-base" which undergoes chemical processing through being dissolved in ammonia or heated with ordinary baking soda to separate the cocaine base transforming cocaine hydrochloride, which is a salt, into a form
that can be inhaled through smoking. Generally, free base cocaine was only available to relatively wealthy users simply because at least several hundred dollars worth is required for the base separating process.
"However, beginning in the early 1980s, entrepreneurial drug dealers realized that free-base cocaine could also be effectively marketed even in poverty-stricken inner city neighborhoods. By performing that chemical process on large quantities first and then selling the end-product in the form of hardened "rock" or "crack" cocaine, they succeeded in selling it in single-dose-sized quantities for $10. As a result, drug addiction rates and drug-related crimes of violence in the form of wars between drug gangs over valuable "turf" skyrocketed in many urban areas like New York City. In that regard, the crack cocaine trade was the primary factor responsible for record murder rates recorded in New York City throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s; this was apart from the personal devastation that use of the drug caused in the lives of users."

Tags:addictive, craving, rush, drug, trade

Abstract
This paper provides a concise historical overview of the drug ketamine, or Special K, and delves into user experience. The paper also examines ketamine with respect to how it contributes to each of the four components of the club culture mantra of peace, love, unity, and respect (PLUR). The paper refers to articles that represent opposing viewpoints as to whether ketamine is a club drug, and draws user experience information from the Web site Erowid.com. The paper asserts that the analysis of these sources led to the conclusion that ketamine is not primarily used as club drug, but rather a drug taken to enhance self understanding and explore the mind.

Outline:
Introduction
Secondary Sources
Primary Sources
Analysis of Primary Sources

From the Paper
"These primary sources give important insight into the argument set by Riley and Hunt as to whether or not ketamine's use is centered in the club culture context. The analysis of these sources led to the conclusion that ketamine is not primarily used as club drug, but rather a drug taken to enhance self understanding and explore the mind. One way in which these experience reports can be analyzed is to compare the effects recorded to the effects typically reported by ecstasy users.
"Ecstasy, which became popular through raves in the 80s in the UK and in the 90s in the US, is mainly taken by middle class, white, young adults. Although it is not entirely clear from my sources, it appears that ketamine users are of the same demographic. All the individuals were English speakers and of those who disclosed their residence, it was most often in the UK and occasionally in the US. Because ketamine and ecstasy share the same demographic of users, it is easy to see why they could be comparable drugs, however, their effects and their consequences differ."

Tags:drugs, ecstasy, veterinary

Abstract
This paper argues that, solely based on its chemical effects and the potential for violence and crime which it can hold, PCP is the most dangerous drug available on the market for addicts and recreational users, alike. The effects of PCP are discussed, as are a couple of recent criminal cases that have been tied to the use (or misuse) of this illegal and unpredictable substance.

From the Paper
"Some might say that the most dangerous drug is crack cocaine. This could be argued as fact because of the awful effects it has had on America's inner cities and ghettos, how it has created addicts in nearly every metropolitan area and created thriving crime-related business for gangs and organized crime. Some might say that alcohol is the most dangerous drug, albeit a legal substance, as it probably leads to more deaths, from disease or accidents than any illegal drug. The same can be said for the legal drug nicotine, whose negative health effects are now widely known and warned against by medical authorities. Yet, this paper will argue that, solely based on its chemical effects and the potential for violence and crime which it can hold, PCP is the most dangerous drug available on the market for addicts and recreational users, alike."

Tags:pcp, drugs, crime

Abstract
This paper discusses five drugs (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, morphine and heroin) commonly used for recreation and examines their medical effects. The writer describes each drug, its legal status and illustrates its uses as medical agents. The paper explains that the complex interaction of social acceptance, proven benefits as a medical agent, and potential side effects (including addiction) all played an important role in determining if a specific drug is used as a medical agent in today's health care system.

From the Paper
"Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, morphine and heroin have all been used extensively as medical agents. All five drugs have also been used extensively for recreational purposes. As a result of their known adverse effects, marijuana, cocaine, morphine and heroin were all made illegal. However, alcohol remains legal. There is a resurgence of interest in the medical effects of marijuana, cocaine and morphine."

Tags:addiction, analgesic, narcotic, anaesthetic, prescription

Abstract
The paper explains that psychoactive drugs act upon the human central nervous system, altering brain function and impacting on mood and behavior. The paper discusses how although some psychoactive drugs are legal and prescribed as medication, some psychoactive drugs are illegal and are used as a form of recreation for users. The paper relates that most psychoactive drugs are either uppers (stimulants) or downers (depressants) and they include painkillers, psychiatric medications (including antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers), recreational drugs such as hallucinogens, dissociatives and hallucinogens (such as alcohol, cocaine and coffee).

From the Paper
"Psychoactive drugs act upon the human central nervous system, altering brain function and impacting on mood and behavior. Though some psychoactive drugs are legal and prescribed as medication, some psychoactive drugs are illegal and are used as a form of recreation for users. Most psychoactive drugs are either uppers (stimulants) or downers (depressants). They include painkillers, psychiatric medications (including antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers), recreational drugs such as hallucinogens, dissociatives and hallucinogens..."

Tags:drugs, addiction, psychoactive