Describes drug policy approach in the US and describe an imaginary society and its responses to the use of drugs of potential abuse

PH 4240 Final Exam: 50 Points Possible

Page 3 of 3

Points Expectations

Describe overall societal consequences of drug use

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Describes societal impact of illicit drug use:  Defines the term “psychoactive drug”  Defines the term “illicit drug”  Describes specific health consequences of illicit drug use (Examples: chronic disease,

victimization, deaths attributed to use, etc.).  Describes economic cost of illicit drug use and what these costs are attributed to

(Example: healthcare costs, etc.).  Optionally, describes other consequences  Described in sufficient detail  Uses appropriate data or sources to back up the claims

Comments:

Describe current drug policies

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 Define the terms: criminalization, decriminalization and legalization  Specify which system characterizes the United States policy approach:

criminalization, decriminalization or legalization  Describes two policy efforts to control substance use (1 pt. each). For example, drug

diversion programs, Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, The Harrison Act of 1914, etc. Comments:

Analyze current drug policies

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 Analyze current efforts to reduce use of illicit substances. Answers the question “has drug use reduced”?  Describes drug use over time to support answer. May refer to Leventhal, lecture,

or other resources to support the answer.  Describes the impact of current drug policies on communities and individuals

 Incorporates Iguchi article. (Note: your paper may critique it if does not agree with Iguchi)

 Describes the trends in incarceration rates since the 1980s  Uses other data or sources to back up the claims regarding other impacts

Comments:

Imagined Society: Drug Policy

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 Critiques the argument that drug use, possession or distribution should be decriminalized,  What does Hart argue? What are the pros/cons?

 Proposes an alternative (criminalization or legalization) OR the author states that decriminalization will work in their hypothetical community.  If using criminalization or legalization, restates the definition of the term  Connects the evidence presented earlier in the paper (costs, impact, etc.) to

support the selected drug policy approach  Lists what drugs would be outlawed or tightly controlled in the new society  Lists what drugs would be freely available in the new society  The list of drugs outlawed/available make sense based on a strong rationale. For

instance, is the list a revised version of List of Controlled Substances? Or, are all drugs free available but regulated?

Comments:

Imaged Society: Consequences

 States if there are consequences to breaking drug laws  If yes, describes the consequences for breaking these laws (For instance;

incarceration? Traffic ticket? Mandatory treatment after 3rd offense?)  If yes, the consequence fits within the definition of the strategy used  If no, explains why there are no consequences

 Describes unintended consequences of the policy approach  Describes who might benefit from the use of legal drugs and who might suffer

and why  Describes who might benefit from the use of illegal drugs and who might suffer

and why (if society has illegal drugs)  The description is consistent with the approach. For instance, if the paper argues

for legalization of all illicit drugs, the student does not describe consequences to using illicit drugs (since the society does not have illegal drugs).

 The description of drugs are consistent with the approach. For instance, if all drugs are legalized it would be more appropriate to use the statements like, “psychoactive drugs like heroin and cocaine”

 State of drug use is a criminal issue or a medical issue.  Describes if, and how, treatment would be a response to drug use.

PH 4240 Final Exam: 50 Points Possible

Page 3 of 3

Points Expectations

/10  Provides research as evidence on why the selected policy might work. For example, Portugal outcomes.

Comments: Fact-Based

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 Appropriate language. Did not use personal opinion, bias, value-laden words or pejorative language Ex. “drunk” is a pejorative and not appropriate in academic writing. (1 pt)

 The student used their own words and did not rely significantly on quotes (1 pt)  Used at least 5 credible sources – A combination of journal articles, academic or

government agencies like CDC, NIDA, NIAA, and SAMHSA reports (1 pt)  In-text citations to support statements & a list of references is included (1 pt)  Citations are consistent and no errors in APA (or AMA) citation formatting (1 pt)  Sources are current, within the past 10 years. (1pt)

Comments: Clarity of Focus

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 Defines any other key term mentioned in the paper.  It is clear which strategy the paper proposes within the imaginary society:

criminalization, decriminalization or legalization  The author’s position is clear  The paper is thoughtful, well researched and demonstrates critical thinking about drug

policies. Comments:

Creativity, Style and Format

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 Format: Includes and introduction and conclusion paragraph, follows all formatting guidelines

 Writing style: Easy to read and free from grammatical errors or type-o’s.  Well formatted: Well-constructed, flowed from one idea to the next. Consistent and

appropriate section headers or other transitions were used. No formatting errors. Comments:

Total Points /50