Department of Justice, Law and Society School of Public Affairs The American University Fall 2003 JLS-303-001 - DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SOCIETY Wednesdays, 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. WARD 3 Faculty: Dr. Jeffrey A. Schaler jeffschaler@attglobal.net http://www.schaler.net Office: Dept. of Justice, Law, and Society, Ward Building, 2nd floor Telephone: (301) 585-5664 Office hours: (by appointment)
Course Description Most people believe alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs cause "addiction." Addiction is said to be characterized, in part, by involuntary behavior and "loss of control" over drug consumption. "Addicted" persons allegedly lose their ability to refuse "addictive" drugs and/or to moderate their consumption of those substances. History shows us that kind of thinking likely emerged from the anti-alcohol rhetoric of temperance-era leaders, the anti-alcohol attitudes instrumental in establishing alcohol prohibition, and the beliefs about alcohol advanced by members of Alcoholics Anonymous following repeal. Contemporary public health, clinical, and legal perspectives on legal and illegal drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, etc., also tend to be based, in part, in the same temperance-era thinking, i.e., that those drugs are universally-addicting substances. The implications of these perspectives for personal and criminal responsibility for the consequences of legal- and illegal-drug use are significant and often contradictory. For example, attempts to regulate tobacco by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were based in the ideas that nicotine is an addictive drug and that cigarettes are "nicotine-delivery systems." Thus, tobacco is now considered a "dangerous" drug. This is despite the fact most people quit smoking after many years or moderate their smoking for many years. Moreover, the widespread attempts by state attorneys general to hold tobacco companies liable for the health consequences of smoking are clearly based in the idea consumers were "tricked" into being "addicted" by the tobacco industry. Yet, many smokers say they choose to smoke despite the risks. In this course we examine the validity of those assumptions about addiction and their implications for public, clinical, and legal policy. In addition to learning about diverse explanatory models for addiction, we will examine in detail conflicting types of treatment for addiction, the efficacy of addiction treatment in general, First Amendment issues and court-ordered addiction treatment, addiction and criminal responsibility, Alcoholics Anonymous and religious-conversion experience, the use of mind- altering drugs as religious experience, and the ethics of general attempts to protect people from themselves advanced by today's public health movement. Lecture and discussion format. Course Objectives 1. To improve the student's legal and policy-oriented thinking about the meaning of addiction and the foundation of behavior labeled as "addictive." 2. To evaluate the evidence supporting and contesting the idea that addiction exists, that it is characterized by involuntariness, and that it is treatable. 3. To understand what happens in voluntary and involuntary treatment for drug addiction. 4. To understand public policy, legal, philosophical and psychological perspectives on why people choose to use mind- altering drugs. 5. To evaluate the efficacy and constitutionality of diverse perspectives on, and policies for, alcohol, drug and tobacco use in contemporary society. 6. To examine the structure and function of the contemporary "public health movement." 7. To develop intellectual skill in debating these and related controversial issues in legal and public policy settings. Required Texts Fingarette, H. (1988). Heavy drinking: The myth of alcoholism as a disease. Berkeley, Ca: University of California Press. Schaler, J.A. and Schaler, M.E. (eds). (1998). Smoking: Who has the right? Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. Schaler, J.A. (ed.) (1998). DRUGS: Should we legalize, decriminalize, or deregulate? Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. Sullum, J. (2003). Saying yes: In defense of drug use. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam. Szasz, T.S. (1998). The myth of psychotherapy: Mental healing as religion, rhetoric, and repression. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press. Recommended Text Schaler, J.A. (2000). Addiction is a choice. Chicago: Open Court. Course Requirements and Grades Position paper 15% Mid-term examination 35% Final examination 45% Class participation 5% Total = 100% Description of course requirements: Position paper: Write a 5-page paper arguing either in favor of or in opposition to the repeal of drug prohibition. Your paper must not be longer than 5 pages. Use at least five references, which are to be listed separately on the sixth page. Use the reference format presented in the required readings section of this syllabus. You may not quote more than two lines of other material. If you quote more than two lines your grade on the paper will automatically drop by one letter grade. Paraphrase material in your own words. Cite any author you are referring to this way (Schaler, 1997). Do not list any material in the reference section that is not cited in the text of your paper. The paper must be double-spaced, typewritten with font size no larger than 12 points, margins no larger than 1 inch. Your spelling must be accurate. You must use complete sentences and proper paragraphs. Your paper should be organized with an introduction, review of issues, discussion and conclusion. Mid-term examination: The mid-term examination will consist of essay questions focused on all readings and discussion in class. Final examination: The final examination will consist of essay questions focused on all of the material covered in this course. You will be given the opportunity to express your own point of view on the many controversial issues we addressed. Many readings and notices regarding class will be sent to you by the professor via email. Make sure you are receiving the emails and reading them. You will be randomly assigned to groups with other students occasionally to present summaries of readings. This will contribute your grade for participation. --> Clear and accurate writing will be taken into account in assigning grades, as well as participation in class discussions. Material discussed in class, or in films, and not in any of the readings, may form the basis for questions on the examinations. One grade reduction for over three class absences. Students are responsible for anything covered in class during their absence. Readings must be completed by the session to which they are assigned. Additional readings may be assigned during the course. Students are encouraged to form study groups on their own. The examinations must be taken on the dates assigned. Grades: A-=90, B+=89, B-=80, C+=79, C-=70, etc. If you're having trouble with this course make an appointment to talk about it. CLASS SCHEDULE Date Topic Reading August 27 Introduction Lecture The Drug Policy Problem Schaler/DRUGS September 3 Drugs Parts I to III September 10 Drugs IV to V (First position paper due) September 17 Addiction and Criminal Responsibility VI to VII September 24 State-supported and Court-ordered VIII Treatment for Addiction; The Power of Self-fulfilling Prophecies October 1 Heavy Drinking: The Myth of Fingarette Alcoholism as a Disease October 8 New ideas and policies Finish Fingarette Lecture October 15 Mid-term examination Note: You must take the mid-term exam on the date assigned. No exceptions. October 22 Introduction Schaler & Schaler A sociological view-Berger 4 Anti-tobacco campaign of the Nazis-Proctor 6 October 29 Dealing with the devil-Annas 9 Tyranny of experts-Chafetz 14 Social symbolism of smoking-Gusfield 15 November 5 Saying yes - Sullum 1 -135 November 12 Saying yes - Sullum finish November 19 What is "treatment?" Szasz 1-178 November 26 No Class -- Thanksgiving Finish Szasz over break December 3 Finish Szasz and review December 17 Final exam 5:30p - 8:00p Note: You must take the final exam on December 17. No exceptions. Academic Integrity Code "Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University's Academic Integrity Code. It is expected that all examinations, tests, written papers, and other assignments will be completed according to the standards set forth in this code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary action will be taken should such violations occur. Please see me if you have any questions about the academic violations described in the Code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course."
