NCW Libraries

According to the National Institutes of Health, alcohol use is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States while Statistics Canada reports that alcohol is responsible for the deaths of 8 percent of Canadians under the age of seventy. This concise guidebook gives younger readers the facts they need to make informed decisions about how alcohol use can affect one's life. The narrative examines alcohol's history, as well as its physical...

Coming of age in the drug culture of the 1960s and '70s led many young people to "turn on, tune in, and drop out"-experimenting with every available drug, chasing that ultimate high while looking for someone with whom they could share it. Thinking themselves invincible, they did not realize that they were flirting with danger-although they knew enough to stay below the radar of law enforcement while indulging in the pleasures offered in The Age of...

Methamphetamine abuse is a worldwide problem. This invaluable resource, written in accessible and engaging language, covers vital subjects such as how meth affects the brain and body, the consequences of meth addiction, and how to get help. True stories about people struggling with using crystal meth or trying to get sober help readers put addiction in perspective, while sidebars about topics such as the history of methamphetamine use offer important...

Sometimes it seems that the sports pages are filled with the stories of superstar athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs. But in fact, most users of these substances are just regular folks trying to improve their workouts or lift more weights at the gym. Unfortunately, these drugs are serious business and can be extremely dangerous. This book looks at the types of performance-enhancing drugs that exist and the problems that follow their use...

Drugs that are derived from (or mimic the effects of) the poppy are some of humanity's oldest and most powerful. In fact, opiate drugs were the main tools of doctors for centuries. Unfortunately, misuse of opiates has reached epidemic levels, destroying lives and tearing families apart. This book looks at the history and effects of opiates and introduces readers to treatments that can help turn users' lives around. From caffeine and aspirin to heroin...

For many young people, the opioid epidemic is mired in confusion: they hear about pain pills and other opioids from such a dizzying array of sources that they struggle to untangle fact from fiction. This engaging and accessible guide begins by demystify drugs and explaining the essentials about opioids and addiction. The narrative then builds on this foundation by teaching readers the dangers of opioids and how to get help if a loved one is addicted....

Marijuana has been controversial for a long time. Some point out that marijuana is safer than other legal drugs and even has medical benefits for particular illnesses. Others worry about the drug's "gateway" potential and the potentially destructive effects of long-term use. As many U.S. states reconsider their pot legislation, this book provides the facts and dispels myths about that plant called marijuana. From caffeine and aspirin to heroin and...

Nicotine-delivery vaping devices that were designed to help adults stop smoking are now being heavily used by teens, including many teens who have never smoked cigarettes. As a result of the widespread use of vaping devices, millions of teens have become addicted to nicotine, often without being aware of the health risks. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, teen vaping is now an epidemic. This insightful volume defines vaping, discusses how the...

When you picture a "drug user," what do you see? Frequently, people envision someone using heroin or some other illegal substance. But in fact, legal drugs are frequently abused and can be just as deadly. Whether it's cough syrup or energy drinks, diet pills or inhalants, this book investigates the many problems that can arise from the abuse of perfectly legal substances. From caffeine and aspirin to heroin and meth, drugs are an inescapable part...

The night before his final exams, a semi-alcoholic teenager packs up his gear and disappears into the woods. Totally unprepared for bush life, he nearly dies until he meets someone else who has her own reasons to hide.