The ubiquitous assignment of a health report on drugs is made far easier by the Compact Research: Drugs series, which offers overviews of the manufacture, side effects, risks, and abuse of each group of drugs. Bath Salts and Other Synthetic Drugs describes the rise in use of these newer and perhaps lesser-known but potentially deadly drugs, as well as problems associated with elusive marketing and hard-to-track Internet sales. Backed by current facts, statistics, and first-person experiences, every chapter includes further documentation with concluding "Primary Source Quotes," from former addicts and law enforcement to health care workers and government officials. In this visual, by-the-numbers era, the series responds with end-of-chapter charts and graphs that display drug-related information. Additional back matter comprises lists of key people, advocacy groups, and related organizations; a bibliography; and a chronology. This series is the next go-to resource for drug-abuse research.

Each book is divided into four sections that discuss the abuse of a class of drugs. The texts, which cover the problem, dangers, efficacy of laws, and prevention and treatment, are supported by personal anecdotes and charts and graphs. Primary- and secondary-source quotes lack context and thus credibility. Photos and sidebars help break up the texts, but the pages are cluttered. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.