Reveals the facts needed to devise more effective strategies for dealing with the drug crisis in our country.

"A Birch Lane Press book." Includes index.

Contents: Helen's story, or "How did I get into this mess?" -- A brief history of a most unusual drug -- The different faces of paradise -- What it's like to "do cocaine" -- Pleasure, pleasure and more pleasure: cocaine, the brain and addiction -- Unlocking the pleasure centers: how the key works -- How bad is it? The scope of the cocaine problem -- How bad can it get? What lies beyond cocaine? -- Rethinking the future beyond cocaine.