NCJ Number
48157
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 175-183
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDING UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS FOR INMATE-STUDENTS AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR COURSE INSTRUCTORS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE INSTRUCTORS WERE DOCTORAL CANDIDATES OR POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS IN PHARMACOLOGY. OF THE 28 ENROLLEES IN THE PROGRAM, THE MAJORITY HAD PRIOR DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS; 50 PERCENT WERE INCARCERATED FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES. OF THE ORIGINAL STUDENT GROUP, 14 COMPLETED THE COURSE. ENROLLMENT IN THE COURSE WAS COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY, AND A NUMBER OF STUDENTS INDICATED THEIR INTEREST IN THE COURSE WAS TO SUPPLEMENT OR CLARIFY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH STREET DRUGS. THE COURSE SESSIONS WERE HELD WEEKLY FOR 17 WEEKS FOR 2 HOUSE A SESSION. THE FIRST FOUR LECTURES WERE DEVOTED TO BASIC SCIENCE INSTRUCTION AND TO THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF DRUG ACTION. THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY LECTURES REVIEWING THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF THE PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE PROBLEMS, CONCEPTS OF MEDICINAL AND NONMEDICINAL DRUG USES, PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DRUG ACTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, PSYCHOLOGICAL HABITUATION, PHYSICAL TOLERANCE AND DEPENDENCE REACTIONS TO CHRONIC USE, AND THE POTENTIAL RISKS AND BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF A VARIETY OF DRUGS. TWO LECTURES CONCENTRATED ON PROBLEMS OF DRUG USE AND ABUSE AND ON DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT. LECTURES WERE ALSO PRESENTED REGARDING OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS, ACCIDENTAL POISONING, AND TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND SAFETY OF PHARMACEUTICALS. THE FINAL LECTURE EXAMINED DRUG USE AND ABUSE DURING PREGNANCY AND THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN HEALTH. LECTURE OUTLINES FOR ALL 17 SESSIONS AND ADDITIONAL READINGS WERE SUPPLIED TO INMATE-STUDENTS IN ADDITION TO A STANDARD UNDERGRADUATE-LEVEL TEXTBOOK. A POSTCOURSE ATTITUDINAL QUESTIONNAIRE INDICATED THAT ALL THE STUDENTS HAD FOUND THE COURSE INTERESTING, RELEVANT, AND POTENTIALLY USEFUL. A NUMBER OF STUDENTS INDICATED THAT THE COURSE HAD RESULTED IN SOME ATTITUDE CHANGE TOWARD PERSONAL DRUG USE. WHILE THIS WAS NOT TRUE OF ALL STUDENTS, ALL STUDENTS DID EXHIBIT A GREATLY INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE ACUTE AND CHRONIC SIDE EFFECTS WHICH MIGHT BE EXPECTED FROM RECREATIONAL DRUG USE. COMMON TO MANY OF THE STUDENTS WAS THE ATTITUDE THAT DRUG USE WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE WHEN IT INFLUENCED THE SAFETY OR WELL-BEING OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT A COURSE OF SIMILAR DESIGN WOULD PROBABLY BE WELL RECEIVED AND SUCCESSFUL IN ANY TYPE OF UNDERGRADUATE SETTING DEALING WITH DRUG ABUSE. (JAP)