Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2024 - HSCI 402 D100

Substance Use, Addiction and Public Health (3)

Class Number: 2855

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    HSCI 214 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of substance use and addiction focusing on alcohol and 'illicit drugs" as major psychoactive use categories — within a framework of public health. Major topics covered in the course include fundamental concepts in substance use and addiction: historical, economic, political factors influencing substance use and control, epidemiology and patterns of substance abuse in general and special risk populations, substance use related morbidity, mortality and social harms and their impacts on public health: social and environmental determinants of substance use, risks and harms, prevention, treatment and approaches and interventions and policy/control options to reduce substance use related risks and harms in the population.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines substance use (alcohol and other psychoactive drugs) and addiction from an international public health perspective. Within the field of substance use and addiction, practice and public policy are not always consistent with empirical evidence. These inconsistencies will be critically examined. Major course topics include: drug and alcohol policy and public health; the epidemiology of substance use and its individual and population level health and social effects; legal and illicit markets and models of supply, including their effects on substance use; measures to control supply and their effectiveness; definitions of addiction from different theoretical perspectives; substance use treatments; mechanisms of substance use-related harms; interventions to reduce substance use-related harms; and prevention strategies. The first half of the course will focus on alcohol, and the second half of the course will focus on other psychoactive drugs.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe and critically evaluate major conceptualizations of substance use and addiction from a public health perspective
  • Describe international substance use patterns using epidemiological evidence
  • Explain the mechanisms through which substance use impacts public health
  • Describe the determinants and risk factors of substance use-related harms among specific populations and high-risk groups
  • Explain the purpose and effectiveness of various substance use-related harm reduction, treatment, and preventive interventions
  • Critically evaluate current and proposed substance use-related policies and their alignment with research evidence
  • Conduct a literature search to identify and integrate research evidence pertaining to substance use-related harms, interventions, and policies

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Written in-class reflections/exercises 5%
  • Group project 30%
  • Midterm quiz 25%
  • Final exam 30%

NOTES:

Classes will include a mix of lectures, videos, and in-class group discussions. Students will be expected to engage with course materials to enable active participation. The class will be a place where students can explore ideas, express their opinions, and question assumptions. Evaluation of learning objectives, including understanding and synthesis of course content and concepts, will be conducted via participation in class, group project assignments, and examinations.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

iClicker remote

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available online via the SFU Library.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html