2.24907 DRUG ABUSE & MISUSE (School Elective)

This course aims to promote an awareness of the risks involved in the use of social or recreational drugs; and the importance of the proper (rational) use of drugs or medicines in the community. On successful completion, students should be able to: identify social/recreational drugs that are commonly abused and misused; know the factors responsible for drug abuse and misuse; describe impacts of drug abuse in the community and ways to eliminate it; know the sociological and legal implications of drug abuse with special reference to PNG; define essential drugs and their justification; define basic criteria for rational use of medicines; determine circumstances, and factors of underlying inappropriate drug use; summarise impacts of inappropriate drug use on the community; and develop strategies to improve drug use in the community.

Contact hours: 10 hours per week (4 hours lecture, 6 hours practical).

Assessment: Tests, assignments, practicals (60%), final exam (40%).