Module: Drugs in Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Drugs in Society
Module Code	HEA1028 (ITS: NS141)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

In contemporary societies, drug use is a pervasive part of everyday life. In this module we examine the problematic nature of drugs, including alcohol, in society and and how societies respond, focused on evidence-based, harm reduction approaches to prevention and treatment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically reflect on different perspectives on drugs in society.
2. Critically evaluate sources of evidence about the effects of drugs and alcohol and the effectiveness of interventions for prevention and treatment.
3. Critically evaluate drug and alcohol policy and strategy in Ireland and globally.
4. Critically evaluate harm reduction approaches to address drugs and alcohol in society.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Participation in lectures
Independent Study	101	For research, reading, assessment preparation.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20806	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Anne Matthews	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Weekly quiz	40%	Every Week
Essay	Exploring an aspect of drug use in contemporary societies	50%	Sem 1 End
Participation	For attendance and participation in the classroom sessions.	10%	Every Week

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Perspectives on drugs and alcohol use

Drug and alcohol policy and strategy

Evidence-based approaches to prevention and treatment for drug use

Harm reduction approaches

Mental health and drug and alcohol use

The commercial determinants of health

Community responses to drug and alcohol use

Global issues

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Department of Health, Ireland, 2017, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, Dublin, Ireland,
420519: 1, Website, HRB, National Drugs (and Alcohol) Library, Dublin Ireland
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/: 420520, 1, Website, Drugs and Alcohol Information and Support
HSE: https://www.drugs.ie/, 420521, 1, Website, 0
https://www.drugscience.org.uk/: 420522, 1, Website, UN Office on Drugs and Crime
https://www.unodc.org/: 420523, 1, Website, WHO: drugs, alcohol and addiction
https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/: 420524, 1, 2024, Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use (Volume 1)
https://citizensassembly.ie/wp-content/uploads/CADU_Volume1.pdf: 420525, 1, Website, Alcohol Action Ireland
https://alcoholireland.ie/: 420526, 1, Website, All-Ireland alcohol data directory
https://alcohol.iph.ie/: 420527, 1, Website, EU Drugs Agency
https://www.euda.europa.eu/index_en: 420528, 1, Website, The Cochrane Library
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/: