Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs

Philip Jenkins

ISBN 10: 0814742440 / ISBN 13: 9780814742440

Edité par New York University Press, 1999

A propos de cet article

New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. 393. N° de réf. du vendeur B9780814742440

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of ...

Éditeur : New York University Press

Date d'édition : 1999

Reliure : Paperback / softback

Etat : New

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis :

America has a long history of drug panics in which countless social problems have been blamed on the devastating effects of some harmful substance. In the last forty years, such panics have often focused on synthetic or designer drugs, like methamphetamine, PCP, Ecstasy, methcathinone, and rave drugs like ketamine, and GHB. Fear of these substances has provided critical justification for the continuing "war on drugs."
Synthetic Panics traces the history of these anti-drug movements, demonstrating that designer chemicals inspire so much fear not because they are uniquely dangerous, but because they bring into focus deeply rooted public concerns about social and cultural upheaval. Jenkins highlights the role of the mass media in spreading anti-drug hysteria and shows how proponents of the war on drugs use synthetic panics to scapegoat society's "others" and exacerbate racial, class, and intergenerational conflict.

À propos de l?auteur:

Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University. He is the author of numerous books including Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in America and Synthetic Panics: The Symbolic Politics of Designer Drugs, available from NYU Press.