Course Description
This course will examine general problems created by illegal use of narcotics and dangerous substances, with emphasis upon classification, description and history of drugs, etiology of addiction, extent of drug use and its relationship to criminal behavior and methods of control. This class will analyze mental disorders such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, brain damage, mentally ill and their role in in criminal behavior. In addition, the course will identify different types of treatment which includes community based, family support, and peer networks. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- CRJ 101: Criminal Justice
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Examine how substance abuse and mental illness connects to criminal behavior.
- Construct and demonstrate the theoretical models that attempt to explain the causes of addiction.
- Recognize contributing factors, challenges, and trends that affect the mentally ill within the criminal justice system.
- Synthesize knowledge about the following substance use disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and other severally mentally ill (SMI) categories using DSM V.
- Organize and classify knowledge to demonstrate solutions in order to collaborate and consult with other professionals within criminal justice, families, and community-based treatment providers.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (28 points, Weeks 1-8) | 30% |
Written Assignments (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7) | 20% |
Midterm Exam (Week 4) | 20% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Levinthal, Charles. Drugs, Society and Criminal Justice (5th Edition). Pearson Publishing, 2020. ISBN-13: 9780135180037
- Schug, Robert A. & Fradella, Henry F. Mental Illness and Crime. Sage Publications, 2015. ISBN-13: 978-1-4129-8707-3
Additional Resource
- DEA Drug scheduling: https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml
- DSM V Substance use disorders https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use
- US Department of Justice: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/imhprpji1112.pdf
- What works for criminal behavior: http://cpp.fullerton.edu/pdf/What%20Works.pdf
- Evidence-based practices: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment
- SAMSHA family resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/parents-families
- Harm Reduction: http://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,4 | Topic: Mental Illness, Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice Reading:
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2 | 2,3,4 | Topic: Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders in Criminal Offenders Reading:
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3 | 2,5 | Topics: Understanding the Drug User and Law Enforcement Reading:
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4 | 1,4,5 | Topics: Criminal Behavior & Substance Misuse Reading:
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Midterm Exam | |||
5 | 3,4,5 | Topics: Drug Policy and Behavioral Health Reading:
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6 | 2,4,5 | Topic: Treatment of Mental/Health Substance use disorder in the context criminal behavior Reading:
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7 | 3,5 | Topics: Diversionary Efforts for Mental Illness/Substance use disorders Reading:
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8 | 3,5 | Topics: Mental Health/Substance Abuse in Criminal Justice Reading:
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Final Exam | |||
08102021
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.