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This course will examine problems associated with drug use through the prism of public health. While psychoactive substances have been used for thousands of years, only in the past several decades has drug use emerged as a major public health issue. The first half of the course will be devoted to understanding biological, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of key licit and illicit substances. The second half will focus on relevant public health aspects of drug use, including prevention, interventions, treatment, and policy. Intersecting issues include homelessness, HIV/AIDS, youth, mental health, violence, sexuality, and health disparities. Students will be exposed to key books and peer-reviewed articles that address these issues from a range of theoretical and analytical approaches.

College/Department: Dornsife School of Public Health
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit