Alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use are among the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and globally. While access to effective treatment for ATOD addiction is important, we will never "treat" our way out of these problems -- as the tobacco experience has shown, it is far more effective and cost- effective to use policy as a lever to reduce and prevent ATOD use and related harms. Drawing on examples both from the U.S. and other countries, the course will review key lessons from existing public health research for ATOD policies, and along the way examine different methods for assessing and evaluating these policies. The course will take a "deep dive" into each of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and "other drug" policies, and equip students for a final project, deploying public health research tools, literature and insights to address a current drug policy issue of their choosing and what it would "take," including analysis of the effects on public health, political context, key stakeholders, impact on social justice and equity, and responses to key opposition arguments, in order to achieve their recommended policy change.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.