module specification

The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of drug use, the drugs trade and drug policy from legal, cultural, criminological, public health and human rights perspectives. You will acquire an understanding of drugs theories and concepts and learn to apply them to a range of social and cultural contexts. The module will enable you to develop an understanding of the social, cultural and economic factors that influence substance use and drug related offending. It will also provide you with a critical understanding of the historical, political, social and economic factors shaping the drug-crime nexus, the drugs trade and enforcement strategies. In an analysis of the origins and history of drug policy and through its development you will also gain knowledge of the ways in which drug control and regulation is conducted along racial, gendered and class lines, and the social costs and ‘collateral damage’ of the drugs’ war.

You will be provided with the critical tools to formulate and defend, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on key issues in the drugs field on topics such as the legal-illegal divide, the impact of the global prohibition regime, drug harms, treatment and welfare, drug functions and freedoms and questions of identity, consumption, and risk. You will be given the opportunity and critical tools to evaluate a contemporary drug policy. You will also be given the opportunity to critically appraise the assumptions underpinning discourses on drugs and drug policy and criminal justice and treatment responses. You will gain knowledge of drug laws, criminal justice as well as treatment policies and practices, providing you with the knowledge and understanding for working competently with substance users and drug offenders in criminal justice, health and social care, and advocacy roles.

Available for Study Abroad? YES

The syllabus will cover:

Drug Harms and Functions session examines the evidence on the harms of both legal and illegal psychoactive drugs and explores the functions they serve (LO 3, 4, 5).

Drug Cultures and Subcultures looks at how psychoactive drugs have been used within various cultures and subcultures globally and the commonalities found within different social and cultural contexts (LO 1, 2).

The History of Prohibition explores the global prohibition regime past and present and traces its origins in racist ideologies, gender regulation and colonialism (LO 1, 2, 4).

Drugs and Crime covers the different theories and explanations for the relationship between drugs and crime (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Drug Treatment and Policy explores various debates within the drug treatment field including harm minimisation vs abstinence-based approaches and coercive vs voluntary forms of treatment and the evidence for their success (LO 1, 4, 5).

Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering and Corruption explores global drug trafficking flows and the relation between drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption (LO 2, 3).

Drugs and the Media focuses on media constructions of drugs and drug users (LO 2, 3, 4).

Drug Enforcement outlines the various enforcement strategies adopted in attempts to disrupt global drug markets, including dark net markets, and evaluates their effectiveness (LO 1, 3).

Drugs, Social Divisions and the CJS explores how drug control and regulation is conducted along racial, gendered and class lines, the social costs and ‘collateral damage’ of the drugs’ war (LO 2, 3, 4).

Assessment workshop supports students with their assessments (LO 4,5).

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminar activities, workshops and online materials. Rather than follow a traditional lecture and seminar structure, each 3-hour classroom session will involve a 20–30-minute lecture-type teaching session to be interspersed with individual and group activities such as question and discussion, worksheets, debate, applying a theory to a substantive example or a case study. This delivery will create an interactive learning experience and provide you with continued opportunities for critical analysis and reflection. You are expected to attend and engage in all sessions.

The module will adopt a discover, collaborate, consolidate model, where you will be set tasks to complete prior to the lectures/seminars. Preparation may include reading academic material, an official report, news piece or a case study, preparing for a debate, watching/listening to a relevant documentary, short film, or podcast. You are expected to undertake 6-7 independent reading/study per week to develop your knowledge and critical thinking skills; to support your engagement in the sessions and the completion of assignments. The lecture/seminar will involve a range of individual and group-based activities encouraging debate and collaboration. Activities will also include activities for assessment preparation. After the classroom sessions, students will have access to further reading and resources to further develop knowledge and understanding.

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

1. Understand and critically evaluate drug use, the drugs trade and drug policy from legal, cultural, criminological, public health and human rights perspectives.

2. Acquire an understanding of drugs theories and concepts and learn to apply them to a range of social and cultural contexts.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of historical, social, political, and economic factors shaping drug use, trade and enforcement issues in a range of local and global contexts.

4. Formulate and defend, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on key issues in the drugs field.

5. Critically appraise the assumptions underpinning discourses on drugs and drug policy and criminal justice and treatment responses.

6. Demonstrate understanding and practical knowledge for working with substance users and drug offenders in criminal justice, treatment and social care settings.

Assessment 1

Drug Policy Evaluation 1,000 words (30%)
For this assessment you are required to review a recent drug policy, treatment strategy or initiative. You should aim to critically analyse relevant research evidence and debates around the policy, strategy, or initiative. If it is a treatment strategy or initiative, you need to discuss the wider drug policy approach it relates to e.g. harm reduction. The evaluation should identify the key components of the policy, strategy or initiative, outline the wider social and policy context, identify the underlying assumptions embedded in the policy, involve critical evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses and discuss evidence of its impact on drug users, the drug market and/or society.

Example Topics
● Drug safety testing at festivals and clubs e.g. The Loop
● Interdiction and drug seizure
● Quasi-compulsory drug treatment e.g. DIP
● The legalisation of cannabis production for personal use e.g. Uruguay
● Crop eradication programmes
● The legal regulation of all drugs

This assessment will provide you with the opportunity to critically appraise the assumptions underpinning discourses on drugs and drug policy and criminal justice and treatment responses (LO 5); formulate and defend, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on key issues in the drugs field (LO 4) and demonstrate an understanding of historical, social, political, and economic factors shaping drug use, trade and enforcement issues in a range of local and global contexts (LO 1 and 3).

Assessment 2:

This component will provide assessment choices for students who will have the opportunity to conduct an assessment according to their perceived strengths and in so doing aims to facilitate inclusive practice. 

Essay 1500 words (70%)
You are required to choose from a list of questions provided or choose a question approved by the tutor. This component will allow you to: demonstrate an understanding of drugs theories and concepts and learn to apply them to a range of social and cultural contexts (LO 2), demonstrate an understanding of historical, social, political, and economic factors shaping drug use, trade and enforcement issues in a range of local and global contexts (LO 1 and 3) and formulate and defend, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on key issues in the drugs field (LO 4).

OR

A Formal Structured Debate (70%)
For this assessment you will prepare for a formal, structured debate with your participating classmates on a topic of debate in the drugs field. Example debate topics:

● Drug using offenders should be coerced into treatment. 
● All drugs should be legally regulated.

On the day of the debate, you will be assessed on your oral debating skills and submit a 500 word supporting research document. The document will contain your key arguments for or against the motion with supporting references. This assessment will allow you to: formulate and defend, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on key issues in the drugs field (LO 4); demonstrate an understanding of historical, social, political, and economic factors shaping drug use, trade and enforcement issues in a range of local and global contexts (LO 3) and critically appraise the assumptions underpinning discourses on drugs and drug policy and criminal justice and treatment responses (LO 5).    

Please note: You are not permitted to carry out Assessment 1 and 2 on the same topic area.

Key Reading:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/20DC782A-A1AB-7A66-70F8-D05408909D4F.html?lang=en&login=1