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Abused Drugs


Course Description

The history, abuse, misuse, effects, and detection of selected drugs. Guest lecturers are invited to present their views on these subjects.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to perform an extensive but critical survey of the primary literature in an area concerning abused drugs. This survey should address the mechanism of action of the abused drug, its social implications and/or aspects of treatment of the addiction. The topic must be approved by the instructor. The results of the review should be written in a format suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or the student may choose to present the results of his or her survey to the class in a one hour lecture.


Athena Title

ABUSED DRUGS


Prerequisite

For PHRM: Enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy Program; For PMCY: None


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. Identify the common drugs of abuse 2. Identify risk factors associated with drug use and dependence 3. Describe the effects associated with each class of drugs which are abused 4. Describe the common routes of administration of abused substances 5. Identify mechanisms for the treatment of drugs of abuse


Topical Outline

I. General Concepts of Drug Abuse II. Alcohol III. Marijuana IV. Abuse of stimulants a. Cocaine b. Amphetamine c. Methamphetamine d Ritalin/Ephedrine V. Narcotics VI. Inhalants VII. Hallucinogens VIII.Designer drugs (Ecstasy) IX. Benzodiazepines X. OTC drugs and drug look-alikes XI. Steroids


Syllabus