Publisher's Synopsis
Drugs are NOT the Devil's Tools is a fascinating, thoughtful, wonderfully illustrated and well-researched examination into the origin of United States drug laws. Dr. David Bearman shows how, through intertwining motives of discrimination and greed, often under the guise of morality, they have created a drug policy that is completely dysfunctional. As he points out, our drug laws have been very effective in further marginalizing discriminated-against groups and a total failure in every other respect. From the Middle Ages through the present, the tactic of demonizing drugs and those accused of using them has been used against pagans, witches, Aztecs, Incas, Native Americans, Irish, Germans, Blacks, Chinese, Sikhs, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Catholics, Jews and Italians, among others. Using an historical perspective, Dr. Bearman shows how that there has never been a civilization in the history of mankind that has not been without some form of mind-altering and addictive substance. He also demonstrates that the very real medical properties of cannabis were recognizes thousands of years ago, along with the medicinal use of other banned substances including opium and coca as well as the now legal "drugs" alcohol and tobacco. The first volume covers the period between 2657 BC through 1969. The second volume brings the reader to the present-day and the growing recognition and importance of the medical use of currently banned substances. Dr. Bearman makes it clear why our current drug policies need a complete overhaul. Dr. Bearman's reasonable suggestions about how to fix the U.S. drug policies, placed in this accurate historical perspective, are extraordinarily relevant.
