Sociopharmacology

Catalog description

This course examines the social structural factors related to drug use with emphasis on change at the societal level in dealing with the drug problem. Students examine the current and historical patterns of drug use in society. An emphasis is placed on understanding the sequence of initiation, use, and misuse of psychoactive drugs. This course focuses on the social problems and social policy aspects of drugs. Questions addressed include: How does society choose which drugs to treat as social problems? What are the potential versus real-life effects of current laws and policies intended to curb drug use? What are the treatment and prevention strategies used today? What kinds of programs are successful and why? Prerequisite: CRIM 115 or SOC 110 or SOC 120 or ANT 101 . Offered Spring.