a wake up to what the drug life is like.
920277
very true to life, gets into the real grit of that world. good story.
502703
Dreamland opened by eyes to the opioid/heroin epidemic plaguing our society.  I've lived in Columbus Ohio for ten years and wasn't aware of the problem.  This book is both well written and interesting.
3287181
This book might have some outdated phrases and lingo, but the heart of the story could be a tale told by too many young people today. The descriptions and details of the spiraling drug use are gritty and real, and scary enough to dissuade adolescents who have never tried, but have been tempted to experiment with hard core drugs.
53470
Excellent revelation of drug use in the 40's, 50's and 60's, and the events that led to the control of medication to protect the government at the expense of its citizens.
977834
Winslow reveals what life is really like for the Mexicans who have had to suffer under the incessant violence of the drug wars. The book exposes the American War on Drugs as the farce that it is.
3528060
These are the things we need to teach in school. This is real life. Ben documented his life, after trying to get clean for over a decade he shows what it is like to live as an addict, trying to balance "normality" with addiction. He shows us through his precious eyes the struggle. Tragically he has passed away due to a brain hemorrhage, but he left this for addicts and family members alike... In addition, it is his mother's hope as it is mine and I am sure it would be Ben's too, to help educate the public on drug addiction. Though I've never personally touched drugs, I have seen people who are so dear to my heart addicted to this horrible substance, watching the documentary and reading this book is not only the least we can do for a man who is trying to show the world abusing drugs is NOT cool- that going from one dabble one weekend will * turn into something more...

Listen to the words of him, of his family... And please, if you need help... Remember what he says about 9 minutes in his documentary....
*get help, because it doesn't get better."

This book gives so much more insight to the documentary, giving a well rounded picture of the struggles and also the happy times. I encourage everyone to read it, and yes, it is hard; but reality is hard to deal with. If we want to help addicts we need to stop treating them like criminals for they are not criminals; they are souls who need help. Yes, they may need to come to this conclusion on their own, like Ben did, but I believe from what I've seen every addict comes to a point where they just want out.

Please, read this book, whether you know all about heroin addiction or not... And please, go away with understanding and compassion for those who suffer; both the addict, and the family and loved ones it taints and harms.
2242882
good movie kinda opens your eyes of what goes on with drug users and sellers and the politics behind it
2598597
By comparing the activities and economics behind illegal drug trade to legal corporations the author makes economic sense of the various factors behind the $300 billion worldwide annual drug trade. And the "non" sense of how governments have thus far approached their stated goal for eradicating it.
277096
A lot of people are repulsed by this book because they feel it is just all about how messed up Nikki's life is, how much drugs he does, how many girls he debases, etc. Well, to that, I have to say: what did you expect? It's called The Heroin Diaries, and even a cursory glance at the cover and a flip through to look at the artwork within will tell you it's not going to be about sunshine and roses.

I'm a recovering addict myself (though not from heroin). Still...I found this book very relevant. I never had the rock star millions to spend on drugs, but I feel the way the drug high and lows are portrayed are very accurate and universal to anyone who has been through it. And to those who haven't...it's a harrowing look at how a drug addict's life really is.

I was irritated by Vanity's (ahem, I mean, Denise Williams's) little side notes in here - so over-the-top with the religious craziness - but I guess that was the point. All in all, I found it to be an interesting read and further look into the life of one of my favorite musicians. For the record, just because I love Nikki Sixx's work doesn't mean I'm blindly giving him praise. I honestly think his other book, TIGH, was far inferior to this one. But I've read this one a few times now, and I find the story it tells just as captivating each and every time.
4414626
Drugs are now at an epidemic level for our children, and legal prescription drugs seem to have overtaken "street" drugs in the suburbs.  They are easy to get and easy to take.  This book speaks to this topic and how we should educate ourselves before our children become a victim to the life altering, family destroying world of drug addiction.  For all of us out there who have had children on death's doorstep because of drug abuse, it is a must read.
1372670
Very indicative of many communities and stories throughout our country.... It shows you how many young men attempt to live both sides and see drugs as a way out...

Good read...
503971
I have to agree with the pro-reviewers that this is an awesome, eye-opening book. More importantly, I think is that Matt Mason is an extremely talented young writer.

Yes, Mason brilliantly illuminates the origin of New York Street Art, Disco, and even AM Radio in the context of counterculture individuals duking it out with the evil empire of corporate capitalism. Great stuff.

But there is a troubling side to the counterculture he proclaims in such laudatory tones. In almost every case, its motivations are based in partying and drugs. He points out with some enthusiasm that Steve Jobs dropped out and dropped acid, that Hip Hop and Disco and designer drugs were all birthed in the same general movement, and my favorite, that an overlay of Google Maps with beer outlets would be very useful if you were driving around at 3:00 AM on a Saturday morning. To some people, that's cool, and it adds authenticity to the pirate-as-rebel thesis. But like so many of his contemporaries, Matt seems to have a blind spot for the real human damage that was and is being caused by the drug trade, which is one of the biggest businesses out there.

As someone who has personally been touched by the pervasivenss of drug use, I find it tragic that such a bright person as Matt can overlook the dark side of the counterculture he celebrates. Matt, I issue a personal challenge to you to report honestly and with your characteristic intelligence and thoroughness on the history of drug use in modern and other cultures. Our world could use a mind like yours illuminating the dark corners of the big business of drugs.
3138428
The title of the book, Reefer Madness, itself portrays a strong image in my mind.  Eric Schlosser is ingeneous to name it so, as it introduces the first essay fairly.  The section goes into great detail about the producing, hiding, buying, and selling of marijuana and its governmental punishments in America in the past and in the present.
Next up to bat, is the second partition about the sex/porn industry.  As done with marijuana, Eric Schlosser gives the whole package about pornography, mainly the players in the industry and how they got away with money laundering and tax evasions and more.
Last but not least, the world of cheap labor, the world of illegal immigrants.  The shortest section of them all, perhaps because this is the least concealed subject.  The majority of people know of this, and Eric Schlosser digs out a little history and the business philosophy to explain the desire for cheap labor with disregard to the benefits of the workers.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in any of the above.  I enjoyed it particularly because I was learning something new every page, and gaining a better understanding of the underworld and those who run it.
940881
High is a book about the human experience. It weaves the risk and thrill of the smuggling/drug using life with the absolute, obvious despair of doing ten years in the federal penitentiary. It gives a window into the worlds that all lives touch, sooner or later whether family or friends become addicts, and sheds light into the ridiculous absurdity of the failed War on Drugs.

After you read "HIGH", there is not any question as to how this can happen to any man and the rationale behind the choices Brian O'dea had made. In the end, he is willing to give of himself and share his experiences in order to make the world a better place.

It entertains, enlightens, and comes to a beautiful ending that truly shows it is the human and the connectedness between us that is life affirming and how ridiculous our culture has grown in recent times.

You have to get "HIGH" and pass it on to your friends.
1434063
this is telling it like it is...it couldn't get any more on point about drugs and life in the inner city
1034383
This book addresses a question I have had for a long time: Why, with all the might and power of the U.S. has there been hardly a dent made  in the war on drugs. When I saw the interview of Paul Butler on C-S[an/Book T.V., I was intrigued by both the views and the research of the author. I thought there would be answers to my questions in his work, and I was not disappointed. The sad truth is that the "fight against drugs" has an underlying purpose, which today is beginning to be openly discussed: the deliberate decimation of  a target population through addiction, incarceration (often for the financial benefit of others) destruction of communities, prison release with life penalties that deny jobs, voting rights, ability to  meet responsibilities to family and community, and then re-addiction--a vicious circle. Drugs are a multi million dollar business; a stone that kills more than one bird. The truth, however, is finally being exposed. According to the author, hip-hop, which many people don't understand, but may be happy to learn about, has answers that make sense.
1443925
The author has cleverly moved among the many components of addicting drugs-from prescription oxycontin to ilegal heroin entertaining and informing the reader. TMC