Natural and Everyday Drugs: A False Sense of Security

by Ida Walker

Overview

You've seen the ads: "Never diet again! Our all-natural treatment magically melts away the pounds!" "Want to boost your athletic performance? Dr. Smith has found the secret to improved stamina and strength with his all-natural formula!" "Need more energy? Our all-natural juice product will give you the pick-me-up you need!" After all, what do you have to lose? If it's all natural, it can't hurt. Or can it? If you have trouble believing these ads, you're right to be skeptical. "All-natural" dietary supplements seldom deliver the amazing results they claim. And just because they're natural, doesn't mean that some of these substances can't cause serious damage to a user's health. Read Natural and Everyday Drugs: A False Sense of Security to find out more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781422293010
Publisher:	Mason Crest
Publication date:	09/02/2014
Series:	Illicit and Misused Drugs
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 18 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

1 What are Natural and Everyday Drugs? 9

2 If Something's Natural, How Can It be Dangerous? 29

3 So What's Wrong with Caffeine? 43

4 Teens and Caffeine 53

5 Teens and Natural Drugs 87

6 Making Responsible Choices 103

Glossary 121

Further Reading 123

For More Information 124

Bibliography 125

Index 126

Picture Credits 127

Author/Consultant Biographies 128

Editorial Reviews

Caffeine, mineral supplements, vitamins and herbal remedies are all covered under this look at ?natural' drugs. A good portion of the book is devoted to caffeinated beverages. The writing ranges from online testimonials of children who drink coffee, to lists of amounts of caffeine, to news transcripts about teenagers and coffee. At 128 pages, much of the book feels like overkill, with the last chapter veering into body image and a tacked-on sidebar on the last page on caffeine that should have been included in a chapter on "Teens and Caffeine." However, the text is reasonably accurate, and certain sidebars feel fresh, such as the ones about natural drugs—aloe, dandelion, guarana and guar gum—are used and abused, feel fresh. There is a positive, upbeat style to the writing that encourages teenagers to be responsible for themselves. However, the most useful part of the book for teachers will likely be the glossary, or students may find certain chapters helpful in its explanations of different sources of caffeine or drugs such as salvia. Unlike other books in this series, such as the ones on marijuana or ecstasy, librarians may seek this book out as a way to fill a gap in resources on alternative medicines. It is part of the "Illicit and Misused Drugs" series from Mason Crest. Reviewer: Elizabeth Leis-Newman

Children's Literature - Elizabeth Leis-Newman