What you'll learn
Module 1: Understanding drugs and the international drug control framework
Module 2: Drug Use Worldwide
Module 3: Addressing drug use and health: prevention, harm reduction and treatment
Module 4: Questioning prohibition-based policies
Module 5: Medical access to opioids for the management of pain and to other controlled medicines
Module 6: The case for drug policy reform
Description
This MOOC is the first of its kind, since it addresses critical issues related to drugs from a multidisciplinary, health and human rights-based approach. Throughout the course you will cover a range of questions including what are drugs and why they controlled? What are the benefits and harms of taking drugs? How public health policies can address drug use? You will also learn about the intricacies of the international drug control framework and the negative consequences of widespread prohibitionist drug policies around the world.
Finally, you will examine ways of furthering drug policy reform. The topics will be presented by over 40 speakers from scientific, academic and institutional backgrounds, spokespersons of civil society as well as people who use drugs presenting their views. By the end of the course you will have: – a strong understanding of the major health issues related to drug use and drug policy; – a clear vision of why drug policy is debated today; – and, if you so wish, you will be equipped to engage in the drug policy reform movement at your local or regional level.
Requirements
Access to a computer or mobile device with an internet connection.
Motivation to learn!
There are no special materials or prerequisite knowledge required for this course.
Who this course is for
Students who are new to this field
Students willing to put in a couple hours to learn about Drugs, drug use, drug policy and health
Advanced students wanting to add another skill to their portfolio
Content Creator
Michel Kazatchkine – Senior Fellow – Global Health Center, Graduate Institute for International Affairs and Development, Geneva
Barbara Broers – Professor (in Addiction Medicine) – Community Health Departement, Geneva University Hospitals
Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe – Researcher and Lecturer – Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva
Aymeric Reyre – Senior Lecturer – Faculty of Medicine, Paris 13 University
This course includes
Participation Confirmation/Certificate
Option for learning at your own pace
Videos and reading material about the course
Practice tests
Assessed tasks with feedback from other course participants
Evaluated tests with feedback
Evaluated programming tasks