Ceremonial Chemistry : The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts, and Pushers

Thomas Szasz suggests that governments have overstepped their bounds in labeling and prohibiting certain drugs as "dangerous" substances and incarcerating drug "addicts" in order to cure them. Szasz asserts that such policies scapegoat illegal drugs and the persons who use and sell them, and discourage the breaking of drug habits by pathologizing drug use as "addiction." Reaers will find in Szasz's arguments a cogent and committed response to a worldwide debate.

Thomas Szasz is professor emeritus of psychiatry at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.