832:350:01 Spring 2014
Drugs, Culture, & Society
Wednesday: 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
LIVI BE-252
Elizabeth Amaya-Fernandez, MPH
Health Education Specialist
Email: eamayafe@echo.rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By appointment, Monday (1:30p.m. - 3:30p.m.)
Office Location: 8 Lafayette St., New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Telephone: (848) 932-1965
Course Assistant: Andreana Barefield
Email: andreana@eden.rutgers.edu
A. Description:
This course is designed to provide an understanding of drug, use, misuse, and abuse.
Students will explore the history, physical/psychological effects, current trends, and
legal/social consequences of drugs. In addition, the class will discuss prevention,
intervention, and treatment approaches. Students will have an opportunity to
discuss controversial issues related to treatment, policy, drug control, and
interventions throughout the semester. Social justice issues such as racism,
homophobia, and classism in relation to use and legal ramifications of drugs will be
examined. Realistic scenarios depicting drug use, abuse, distribution, and
transportation will be integrated into the course. Utilizing an experiential learning
approach, students will implement campaigns to address drug issues on campus.
B. Required Reading Material:
Inaba, D S., & Cohen, W.E. (2011). Uppers, Downers, All Arounders (7th
Ed). CNS Publications. ISBN #: 978-0-926544-30-7
In addition to this material there will be supplemental readings posted on SAKAI.
(http://sakai.rutgers.edu)
C. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:
1. Be aware of current drug trends in the United States.
2. Understand drug interactions within the body.
3. Critically think about controversial drug issues.
4. Identify effective education strategies utilized to decrease drug use, abuse, and
misuse.
5. Communicate the consequences regarding drug use, misuse, and abuse.
6. Analyze the relationship between drugs, crime, and social justice.
7. Be able to effectively implement drug prevention campaigns on campus.
8. Have the knowledge to conduct trainings as an ADAwGS (Alcohol and Drug
Awareness Generated by Students) in future semesters.
D. Competencies:
1. Practice critical thinking skills.
2. Expand scientific foundation of knowledge.
3. Practice writing and oral skills.
E. Course Policies:
1. CONFIDENTIALITY – Due to the organization and focus of this course,
students in the course may share their personal experiences. This information I
s private, and should not be repeated outside of class.
2. Our academic environment is designed for learning, so remember to keep an
OPEN MIND.
3. Students requiring accommodation due to a disability (learning, physical,
emotional) must present proper documentation at the beginning of the
semester.
4. Every assignment is due on the specified date listed in the syllabus.
Assignments submitted after the due date will lose 10 points/day. NO
EXCEPTIONS!
5. This class contains an experiential learning component. Students are
expected to attend class regularly, on time, and participate actively. See
attendance policy below.
6. Students will be required to participate in activities outside the classroom. A
minimum of 5 hours outside of the class will be required.
7. Students must comply with all University standards on academic conduct.
8. All cell phones, PDAs, Blackberries, etc. must be set to silent or vibrate. No
texting, messaging, checking e-mail, etc. is permitted. Students found engaging
in these activities during class time will have points deducted from the
participation portion of their grade.
9. If issues arise that impact your class attendance or work or if you have a
grade dispute, you must make an appointment to meet with the instructor in
person. These issues will not be discussed or resolved via phone or e-mail.
F. Student Responsibilities:
1. Prompt attendance.
2. Completion of assigned readings.
3. Active participation in class sessions and project activities.
4. Communication in timely manner regarding any concerns/difficulties related to
the course.
5. Frequent and regular visits to the course SAKAI site at: http://sakai.rutgers.edu.
G. Instructor Responsibilities Include:
1. Respect for students as co-learners in course.
2. Adapting the course framework to needs, interests and concerns of students.
3. Availability by appointment for meetings with students; availability by phone and
e-mail.
4. Maintaining the SAKAI course website to accurately reflect the requirements of
the course.
H. SAKAI:
This class utilizes SAKAI to manage the course, its assignments, requirements,
announcements, and readings. All students are REQUIRED to log into SAKAI in order to
access these functions from the beginning of the course until the end. Important updates,
announcements and other useful information will be posted to the SAKAI site on a regular
basis. All written assignments are to be submitted through the SAKAI Assignment function,
except for journals. No hard copies will be accepted.
I. Policy on Class Attendance and Participation:
Regular attendance and class participation will be necessary for you to fully
understand the material in this class. Students are expected to arrive promptly, attend
every class, and complete reading assignments beforehand in preparation for discussion
and class activities. Moreover, there will be material covered in class that will not be in
your textbook, but will be part of an exam. Thus, attending every class can help increase
your chances of scoring well on an exam. Classes missed without a valid excuse (illness or
family emergency) will result in points deducted from the Attendance portion of your grade.
Late arrivals will also affect the attendance portion of the grade. In the event of an
emergency or illness requiring you to miss class or if you expect to miss one or two classes,
please use the University absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to
indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me. If
you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes or handouts and other updates from
a classmate, not the instructor. Assignments due on the date of a missed class are still due
and should be submitted through the SAKAI site.
J. Helpful University Resources:
At some point in the semester, you may require assistance for a variety of issues.
Following is a brief list of helpful University resources.
1. Rutgers Health Services: http://health.rutgers.edu
Medical: http://rhsmedical.rutgers.edu
Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services
(CAPS): http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu
Pharmacy: http://rhspharmacy.rutgers.edu
Health Outreach, Promotion & Education (H.O.P.E.): http://rhshope.rutgers.edu
2. Learning Centers: http://lrc.rutgers.edu/
3. Writing Centers: http://wp.rutgers.edu/tutoring/writingcenters
4. Math & science Learning Centers: http://mslc.rutgers.edu/
5. Office of Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance:
http://sexualassault.rutgers.edu/
6. Office of Disabilities Services for Students: http://disabilityservices.rutgers.edu/
7. Public Safety:
RUPD: http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu/rupd/
Department of Transportation Services: http://rudots.rutgers.edu/
K. GRADING PHILOSOPHY & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Your grades are assigned following the Grading Philosophy of the Edward J.
Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy.
A: Excellent, shows initiative, synthesizes and integrates assigned material with
external sources and own thinking; 92-100%
B+: Very good work, innovative thinking or excellent integration of work of others;
88-91%
B: Exceeds minimum requirements, either shows own thinking or synthesizes and
integrates assigned material with external sources; 81 - 87%
C+: Good understanding of assigned material, but no effort to integrate own
thinking or that of others; 78 - 80%
C: Average work that meets the minimum requirements but does not show
consistent understanding of material, poor quality; 70-77%
D: Meets minimum requirements but does not show understanding of material,
poor quality; 60-69%
F: Unacceptable, does not meet minimum requirements; 0-59%
L. COURSE EVALUATION: (Out of 515 Points)
Group Project: 155 Points
Timeline, Action & Evaluation Plan:
25 Points
Group Paper: 30 Points
Peer Evaluation: 10
Presentations: 25
Overall Project: 60
Journal: 60 Points Total
1st Submission: 10 Points
2nd Submission: 10 Points
3nd Submission: 10 Points
Summary: 30 Points
Midterm Exam: 75 Points
Attendance: 25 Points
Class Participation: 25 Points
Final Exam: 100 Points
Recovery Reflection Paper: 75 Points
M. Topics and Reading Assignments: THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 22nd
Topic: Introductions, Course Overview
Assignments: Choose Track Groups
Wednesday, January 29th
Topic: Psychoactive Drugs
Reading: Chapter 1 & 2
Assignments: Last Chance to Choose Track Groups
Wednesday, February 5th
Topic: Uppers/Track Meeting
Reading: Chapter 3
Assignments: Track Minutes & Attendance 1
Wednesday, February 12th
Topic: Downers/Track Meeting
Reading: Chapter 4 & Good Kids & Heroin
Assignments: Journal Due
Wednesday, February 19th
Topic: Alcohol
Reading: Chapter 5 & Gray Rape
Assignments: TIMELINE, ACTION, & EVALUATION PLAN DUE
Wednesday, February 26th
Topic: All-Arounders
Reading: Chapter 6
**Review for Midterm**
Wednesday, March 5th
Topic: Midterm Exam
Wednesday, March 12th
Topic: Prescription Drug Abuse
Reading: The New Yorker Article
Wednesday, March 19th
Have a Safe and Fun Spring Break 
Wednesday, March 26th
Topic: Other Drugs, Other Addictions
Reading: Chapter 7
Assignments: Journal Due
Wednesday, April 2nd
Topic: Drug Use & Prevention /Track Meeting
Reading: Chapter 8
Assignments: Recovery Paper
Wednesday, April 9th
Topic: Recovery & Treatment
Reading: Chapter 9
Wednesday, April 16th
Topic: Drug Policy & Advocacy
Assignments: Journal and Journal Summary
Wednesday, April 23rd
Topic: Group Presentations
Assignments: Track Paper & Peer Evaluation Due
Wednesday, April 30th
Topic: Final Exam
N. Course Requirements:
The course will be a process in which the goal is to stimulate your thinking through
readings, experiential exercises and through the interchange of ideas. Students are expected to:
1. READINGS –Complete readings before class. The textbook chapters should be
read by the date of the assigned reading. Supplemental readings posted on Sakai
will also be required for certain topics.
2. CLASS PARTICIPATION – Participate fully by asking questions & providing
appropriate comments/opinions.
3. JOURNAL – (60 points) Every student is to keep a daily record of his or her drug
use (caffeine, nicotine, OTC/prescription medications, supplements, legal, and
illegal). These journals are for honest reflection and reporting of actual/personal
drug intake. They will be kept CONFIDENTIAL. Information for each entry should
include: day/time of use, substance, quantity, and comments about context of use.
Each journal submission is worth 10 points each. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE
ACCEPTED!
3. TWELVE-STEP OPEN MEETING – Each student must attend an open 12-Step
meeting, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, etc.
4. RECOVERY REFLECTION PAPER – (75 Points) Each student is responsible for
writing a paper of a maximum of 4 pages, double spaced based on their
reflection/experience at a 12-step meeting. The paper should be a reflection that
describes your experience and relates that experience to course materials.
5. GROUP PROJECT – (150 Points) This class will be divided into educational
tracks: alcohol, prescription drugs, tobacco, marijuana and other illegal drugs. Each
track will be responsible for implementing an educational campaign on campus. This
will be an experiential learning experience, meaning that you will learn and apply
concepts as student health leaders on campus. You will have the opportunity to meet and
discuss the specific tasks for each track during certain class periods. Students will be
graded as a group with the exception of the peer evaluation. (Students must schedule to
meet with Andreana in order to receive materials from H.O.P.E.).
6. EXAMS – Exams will consist of short answers and essays.
7. EXTRA CREDIT – Throughout the semester there may be extra credit opportunities,
extra credit assignments should be submitted on SAKAI.
O. Journal Description:
At the end of the semester, students will write a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced
summary of their substance use for the semester. The summary should address the following
questions: (30 points)
1. What patterns have you found regarding your use?
2. Is your use different on the weekends compared to weekdays?
3. Does your use change when you break your routine, over a vacation, or with different
people?
4. How is your use affected by stress, illness, mood, or peer influence?
5. How was your use affected by the course of simply monitoring it?
6. What conclusions have you reached regarding your relationship with drugs?
P. Track Group Descriptions:
ALCOHOL I
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students on alcohol and the
consequences of dangerous drinking.
Alcohol Track II will group table on March 6 at the Busch Campus Center
from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
ALCOHOL II
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students on alcohol and the
consequences of dangerous drinking.
Alcohol Track II will group table on April 3 at the Rutgers Student Center
from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS I
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Prescription Drugs Track I will table at the Livingston Student Center
between the dates of March 3 - 12.
Prescription Drugs Track I must email their preferred their date to Andreana.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS II
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Prescription Drug Track II will table at the Rutgers Student Center between
the dates of March 31 – April 9.
Prescription Drugs Track II must email their preferred date to Andreana.
TOBACCO I
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students that includes
hookah use along with cigarettes.
Tobacco Track I will table at Busch Student Center between the dates of
February 24 – March 5.
Tobacco Track I must email their preferred date to Andreana.
TOBACCO II
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students that includes
hookah use along with cigarettes.
Tobacco Track II will table at Rutgers Student Center between the dates of
Tobacco Track II must email their preferred location to Andreana before the
next class.
MARIJUANA
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Marijuana Track will table on March 6 at the Busch Campus Center from 10
p.m. – 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
OTHER ILLEGAL DRUGS
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Illegal Drugs Track will table on April 3 at the Rutgers Student Center from
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
Q. Track Meetings Description: See supplemental materials on Sakai for detailed
description
Track Meeting 1: Devise a timeline, action and evaluation plan - 25 points
Track Paper: 30 points
Presentation: 25 points
Peer Evaluation (only individual grade): 10 points
Overall Project : 60 points
R. Academic Misconduct: A Bloustein School Perspective:
Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, failure to cite sources, fabrication and
falsification, stealing ideas, and deliberate slanting of research designs to achieve a pre-conceived
result. We talk about misconduct and ethical behavior in classes and expectations are set forth in
student handbooks and catalogues. For example, it is presented on pages 545-547 in the New
Brunswick Undergraduate Catalogue for the years 2003 through 2005 and on pages 16-18 of the
Edward J. Bloustein catalogue for the years 2003 through 2005. We are not repeating that
material here. Note, however, that penalties for misconduct can range from failing an
assignment/exam or dismissal from the university. The Bloustein School is appending this
memorandum to your course syllabus because we recently have detected obvious cases of
plagiarism. We have found far fewer cases of other forms of academic misconduct, but we find
several every year. It is imperative that you understand that unethical academic conduct is
intolerable, and it is completely preventable.
Academic misconduct almost always happens for two reasons. One is ignorance of
academic rules and practices. For example, in virtually every recent plagiarism case in the School,
material has been taken from an Internet site and placed in text without appropriate note or
attribution. You must learn the proper rules for attribution. If you are not sure, ask your
instructor! If you do not know the rules that govern the use of data sets, attribution, analysis and
reporting of these sets, the faculty will help you. There is no such thing as a stupid question
regarding this subject. Pressure is the second common reason for academic misconduct. Students,
faculty, every one of us are subject to deadline, financial, self-worth, peer, and other pressures. If
you are potentially allowing pressure to drive you to misconduct, please step back and resist that
urge. You can cope with pressure in a positive way by reaching out to friends, counselors, and
faculty members. Within the Bloustein School community, you will find understanding people and
positive direction. The Bloustein School plays an important role in the planning and public policy
agenda. Our work and our students must be above reproach.