Includes bibliographical references (p. 188-190) and index.

Do certain drugs have a gateway effect? The theory that some drugs have a gateway effect is debatable / David J. Hanson ; Some drugs have a gateway effect / Kimberly R. Martin ; Little evidence exists of a causal gateway effect / Stephen Pudney ; The evidence for a gateway effect is inconclusive / Andrew R. Morral, Daniel F. McCaffrey, and Susan M. Paddock ; The meaning of the gateway drug theory is ambiguous / Jacob Sullum -- Are gateway drugs harmful? Marijuana use has many harmful effects / Office of National Drug Control Policy ; The harmful effects of marijuana are minimal / Paul Armentano ; Alcohol use is harmful / Albert S. Whiting ; There are many myths about the harms of alcohol use / David J. Hanson ; Tobacco use s addictive and harmful / National Institute on Drug Abuse ; Harms from tobacco use are overstated and distorted / Joe Jackson -- What is the relationship between gateway drugs and other drugs? Cigarette smoking among teens is a gateway to marijuana use / The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University ; Tobacco use is linked to cocaine and heroin use / Patrick Zickler ; Alcohol use is a gateway to marijuana use / Alyssa J. Myers and Marion O. Petty ; Evidence indicates that marijuana is a gateway to other illicit drug use / Joseph C. Gfroerer, Li-Tzy Wu, and Michael A. Penne ; Marijuana is not a gateway drug / Bruce Mirken -- What should society do about gateway drugs? Marijuana is not any more dangerous than alcohol and should be legalized / Ray Warren ; Marijuana has dangers but should be legalized / Rosie Boycott ; Marijuana is dangerous and should not be legalized / Antonio Maria Costa ; Tobacco use should be outlawed / John W. Whitehead ; The government imposes too many restrictions on the rights of smokers / Robert A. Levy ; Teens should be taught responsible alcohol use / Tony Newman ; The alcohols industry can help combat underage alcohol use / Joseph A. Califano, Jr. ... [et al.].