Course

Substance Use

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Social Work
Course code
SOWK 2360
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Students will study approaches to working with people who experience substance use-related concerns. Topics include the impacts of substance use on the brain and behaviour, psychopharmacology, prevention strategies, treatment models, and counselling frameworks. The course explores individual, family, and community perspectives, and addresses social and structural factors shaping substance use, such as colonialism, capitalism, and intersecting identities.
Course content
  • Social, economic, and community impacts of substance use 
  • Psychopharmacology, brain function, trauma, and behavioural effects of substances  
  • Theoretical perspectives on substance use at individual, family, and community levels  
  • Colonialism, capitalism, racism, and systemic oppression in relation to substance use  
  • Indigenous perspectives, culturally based healing practices, and resilience  
  • Intersections of gender, culture, age, sexuality, poverty, and substance use  
  • Prevention strategies across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice  
  • Treatment models including harm reduction, medical, and alternative approaches  
  • Counselling frameworks and culturally responsive social work practice  
  • Social policy, service systems, and advocacy related to substance use   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, discussion, group work, case studies and presentations. 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline. This is a letter-graded course.

Typical means of assessment include the following: 

  • Written papers 
  • Presentations 
  • Projects
  • Exams 
  • Participation 
  • Attendance 
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:  

  1. Evaluate personal reactions, values, and potential biases related to substance use;
  2. Examine recent developments in brain and drug research in relation to the physiological impacts of trauma and oppression;  
  3. Explain how colonialism and other systemic, structural, and interpersonal forms of racism contribute to substance use;
  4. Critically analyze the intersections of poverty, gender, culture, and other social factors related to substance use;  
  5. Demonstrate understanding of Indigenous healing practices and resilience, as they relate to substance use;
  6. Compare different treatment approaches, including harm reduction strategies, the medical model, and alternative approaches to care;
  7. Evaluate government policies and service responses to substance use locally and in broader contexts;
  8. Identify strategies to advocate for equitable and culturally responsive approaches to substance use prevention, treatment, and policy.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students.  A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.  

Requisites

Prerequisites

None 

 

Corequisites

 None

Equivalencies

CFCS 1260

 

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for SOWK 2360
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU PSYC 1XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) No credit

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1012
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1005
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

SOWK 2360 001 is restricted to BSW students.