Advanced policy, prevention and public health

This unit considers a population-based, public health approach to responding to addiction-related harms in the community. You will learn about the social and historical context of drug policy, review and compare local and international examples of public health and policy responses for legal and illegal substance use and other addictive behaviours (e.g., gambling and other process addictions).

Drawing on contemporary literature, you will learn about the social and political history of drug policy and explore local and international examples of public health strategies. You will develop understanding of how epidemiology informs public health policy and evaluate how prevention measures have been applied in a range of settings to reduce addiction-related harm. The impact of individual, community, and institutional forces on policy processes will highlight the unique complexities related to alcohol and other drugs and addiction policy implementation. You will critique the evidence for different prevention and harm minimisation and analyse how research is translated into effective policy and practice.

This unit will help to prepare you for further study, research, or employment related to addiction and substance use policy and public health practice in a range of health and community setting.