This course will investigate drug use and drug actions, both licit and illicit. It will also consider the social and policy issues that surround their use. Accordingly, the specific coverage will span a range of topics including drug actions on the nervous system, elementary principles of pharmacology, therapeutic use of behaviorally active drugs, the history of drug use, drug abuse and its prevention and treatment. Specific categories of drugs to be covered include stimulants, depressants, inhalants, opioids, hallucinogens and commonly used drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Medications will also be examined including those for mental disorders and over-the-counter.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
- One 200-level PSY course
Semester Offered
Fall of odd-numbered years