In 2015, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that more than 1 million American youths between the ages of 12 and 17 had a dependence on illicit drugs or alcohol. It is a part of their lives, unfortunately. This essential volume helps readers to use critical thinking to create informed opinions on where they stand on the issue of illegal drugs. Chapters present the impact of drug use, American attitudes toward it, and whether the flow of illegal drugs can be stopped. Further chapters explain related punishment and prison life, whether some illegal drugs should be legalized, and drug treatment methods. Readers will lastly consider the War on Drugs and its relation to the Constitution. A timeline, notes, further information section, bibliography, and index round out this resource.