Course overview
This course/module is designed to provide students of differing backgrounds an understanding of the process by which international addiction health policy is formed and reformed around the use and misuse of both licit and illicit drugs. The course/module will look at the epidemiology of addiction around the world and the relationship between the burden of addiction and the corresponding effects of national and international drug policies.
Course learning outcomes
- Trends in the history of drug and alcohol policy developmen and current controversies related to drug and alcohol policy
- National policy approaches from around the globe and the differences among them
- The role of international organizations and international treaties in drug-related interventions
- Various stakeholder group shaping and affected by drug and alcohol policy
- Differences between policies that intervene at the level of supply vs. those that intervene at the level of demand
- Drug control strategies, including, but not limited to economic, regulatory, criminal justice, treatment policy, media/social marketing, practical guidelines, and harm reduction strategies
- How substance abuse services are organized and financed
- The complex relationship between political trends, policy and public health effects
- How substance-related research can influence policy
- Knowledge of historical and current influences on the development and implementation of drug and alcohol policy
- Competence in critically comparing policies and understanding the affect of policy decisions on public health outcomes and cost
- Ability to effectively synthesize information and ideas in relation to controversies associated with drug and alcohol-related policy
- Academic writing skills
- Ability to effectively use online resources related to drug and alcohol policy
- Ability to effectively communicate your intellectual curiosity and knowledge to others in an online discussion
Degree list
The following degrees include this course