CM4S05 - Drug Interventions 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM4S05
Module Title: Drug Interventions
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Katy Holloway
Module Team: Helen Martin, Daniel Welch, Ian McKim
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100484 - criminology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

To critically evaluate the nature of drug misuse, methods of administration, and the harms associated with drug misuse.

To determine the extent of drug misuse.

To critically examine issues involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating current substance misuse policy.

To identify and critically analyse interventions designed to tackle drug misuse.

To critically review the research literature on the effectiveness of drug interventions.

Content Summary

This 20-credit module covers four broad topic areas:

1. The characteristics and nature of drug misuse and people who misuse drugs. The module will examine individual drug types and explore the effects that drugs have on users (including individual and social harms). The extent of drug misuse in the UK, and selected other countries, will also be considered.

2. Interventions designed to tackle the problems associated with drug misuse. This will include four main types of intervention, namely: psychosocial interventions, pharmaceutical interventions, criminal justice interventions and preventative interventions.

3. Research and evaluation. It will consider how programmes are designed, commissioned, implemented, and monitored. Particular attention will be given to considering the effectiveness of interventions.

4. The development of drug policy. Particular attention will be given to the way in which UK drug policy has evolved over time. However, we will also spend some time reflecting on the Welsh Substance Misuse policy.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 30
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 90
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 A critical evaluation of substance misuse and associated harms
LO2 A critical analysis of the use and effectiveness of interventions designed to address substance-related harms

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Students will be given a selection of ‘cases’ (or they can choose their own in consultation with the module leader) and asked to build a case study that involves: describing the problem, putting the problem in context, examining the causes of the problem, identifying evidence-based solutions to address the problem, suggesting new solutions, considering the challenges of implementing those solutions, and reflecting on the implications for policy, practice and future research 0 3500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1

Reading List

https://rl.talis.com/3/southwales/lists/884D6C65-039A-3A6F-9BA4-0788FD9CF392.html?lang=en

Buckingham, S.A., and Best, D. (2017) Addiction, behavioural change and societal identity. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

Hansons, G., Venturelli, P.J., and Flekerstein, A.E. (2021) Drugs and Society. 14th Edition. Burlington Massachusetts: Forest Bartlett Learning

Nutt, J. (2021) Drugs without the hot air: making sense of illegal drugs. Cambridge: UIT Cambridge