PSY 335 Drugs and Behavior

Course Description

Course Syllabus

General objectives. To understand and be able to compare

• the major categories of psychoactive drugs;
• their physiological, psychological, and societal effects;
• patterns and causes of their use and abuse in individuals and societies; and
• systems of drug education.

Learning outcomes. At the end of this course, you should be able to

• predict the likely effect on behavior of various psychoactive substances;
• identify drugs by their physiological, psychological, and social effects on human beings; and
• evaluate their potential for abuse.

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General course arrangement.

1. Basic terminology and principles of drug action: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the pharmacopoeia. Julien chapters 1 & 2, appendixes I, II, & III.

2. CNS depressants: Julien chapters 3,4, and 5.

3. CNS stimulants: Julien chapters 6 and 7.

4. Psychiatrically useful drugs: Julien chapters 8, 9 and 11.

5. Opioids and opiates: Julien chapter 10.

6. Psychedelics and marijuana: Julien chapters 12 & 13.

7. Neurologically useful drugs: Julien chapter 11.

8. Birth control and fertility compounds: Julien chapter 14.

9. Social issues: Drug abuse, the law, and drug education: Julien chapter 15.

Required textbook.

Julien, R.M. (1995). A primer of drug action, 7e. San Francisco: Freeman. (Third Printing, 1996 VB is preferable.)

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Major assignments and expectations.

1. Read assigned material in the textbook, and use this to contribute to class discussions. 10%

• Occasional, unannounced in-class writing assignments or quizzes will draw on your reading.
• You must read all of the assigned material, whether it is covered in class or not. Most readings will be useful in class discussion.
• As missed quizzes and other in-class assignments may not be replaced, perfect attendance is to your advantage.

2. Three content examinations

Friday, May 15................................15%

Friday, May 22................................20%

Friday, May 29................................20%

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3. Paper or project (videotape, class presentation with PowerPoint, Web site) on a topic approved by the instructor.

• Estimated paper length is 20 pages. Other project media should incorporate equivalent research and work.
• Submit a proposal of one page in length by May 15, which
• explains your topic,
• tells why you want to do your paper on that topic, and
• lists the fifteen best sources you have found.

• The final draft of the paper or project will be due May 28, and will be marked out of 20%.
• Correct English usage is expected.
• Use primary source material, including at least fifteen journal articles.
• In your paper or project, show a clear explanation of the topic, including relevant research and case reports.

• Suggested topics:

i. Any drug or small family of drugs (eg. opiate antagonists), including history of its use and abuse, pharmacology, therapeutic potential, and current street status.

ii. Issues surrounding legalization of all drugs or any category of currently illicit compounds, such as marijuana.

iii. Targeted drug education methods.

iv. Treatment for addiction to a family of drugs, eg. heroin.

v. Drug treatment of a particular mental disorder.

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4. Find and read current articles in newspapers, public affairs magazines, and popular magazines. These articles must deal with

• statistics about drug use,
• opinions or policy about drug use,
• development of new drugs,
• discovery of new uses for existing drugs, or
• discovery of side effects of drugs.

a. Bring at least one appropriate article to class each day for discussion.

b. Then, according to the following due dates, choose two of the articles you have read, and do further scholarly research (books, journal articles, appropriate Web sites) to help you evaluate the article. Write a one-page critique of the claims made in the article, using your scholarly sources. (Total value: 10%)

i. Due May 18

ii. Due May 25

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5. Applied project. Take your pick of one of the following. If you prefer, suggest an alternative for my approval. Complete the project, write a one page report, and submit it by May 27. The report should tell about your experience, and explain what the people whom you met believe to be the nature and causes of addiction. 5%

a. Visit a drug rehabilitation center.

b. Attend an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Alateen, or a similar 12-Step group.

c. Take a free visit at a weight loss clinic.

d. Call a drug-information hotline (but not a crisis hotline, unless you are in a crisis). Inquire about two separate drugs of abuse.

e. Design and conduct an opinion poll, using a sample of at least 100 people who are over the age of 18. Report your results clearly.

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American Psychological Association

The APA site is an award-winning connection to the resources of the Association, including membership and an on-line copy of the APA Monitor, the APA's newspaper. Highly recommended.

A dynamically-updated table of estimated numbers of new drug users for various substances is at http://www.health.org/dynatable

Food and Drug Administration

The FDA site is a dependable, easily-used site with wide-ranging links. Highly recommended.

National Institutes of Health

• National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
• National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Speech by drug czar Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Statistics on drug use are from the most recent survey of August, 1997 on this site.

Slang terms or street names for drugs can be identified via this dictionary.

Medical perspectives on substance abuse are available from MedMatrix

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

United States Information Agency (USIA)

Web of Addictions: A commercial site which offers current drug information from an anti-drug abuse perspective.

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Psychology home page

Houghton College home page

Copyright 1998 Paul D. Young Last updated 14 May, 1998.