Postgraduate - UnitMPH5287 - Alcohol and other drugs in society: a national and global perspective

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Outline the sources, characteristics, routes of administration and effects of key drugs;
2. Analyse patterns of drug use in Australia, across the Asia-Pacific region, and worldwide;
3. Understand the specific health outcomes associated with the use of the most important licit and illicit drugs, including implications for the development of community-based responses;
4. Explain how use of licit and illicit drugs is linked to poverty, criminality and other social problems;
5. Critique the policies and practical responses to drug use implemented in differed countries;
6. Explain the interactions between illicit drug use and blood-borne viruses (BBV);
7. Examine the social and policy contexts of harm reduction practice employed in Australia and Asia;
8. Critique the various responses to HIV and other BBV's among drug users concurrently in operation;
9. Reflective on practice and communicate effectively.