Ceremonial Chemistry: The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts, and Pushers

s/t: The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts & Pushers This is an excellent analysis of the institutionalized, state-sponsored persecution of certain rule-breaking behavior (illicit drug use) & the similarities between cultural & religious demands for specific mood-altering ceremonies & substances. One is impressed by depth of Szasz' philosophical & medical understanding of human behavior. Ceremonial Chemistry is an important book & a cornerstone in the debate on prohibiting certain foods & plants & their inevitable decriminalization.Introduction Pharmakos: the scapegoatThe discovery of drug addictionThe scapegoat as drug & the drug as scapegoatMedicine: the faith of the faithless Communions, holy & unholy Pharmacomythology: medicine as magicLicit & illicit healing: persecutions for witchcraft & drugcraftOpium & Orientals: the model American scapegoats Drugs & devils: the conversion cure of Malcolm XFood abuse & foodaholism: from soul watching to weight watchingPharmacracy: medicine as social controlMissionary medicine: holy wars on unholy drugsCures & controls: panaceas & panapathogensTemptation & temperance: the moral perspective reconsideredThe control of conduct: authority vs autonomyAppendix: a synoptic history of the promotion & prohibition of drugs