Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences

Australia has been famously described as having a 'wet culture', one in which alcohol consumption (and its consequences) have become intertwined into the social and recreational fabric of Australian society and bringing with it a number of serious social and personal consequences. Drug use on the other hand is much less common but no less problematic, accounting for between 20 and 40 percent of crimes committed in Australia. How we respond to these issues remains a matter of significant academic and policy debate - especially for those charged with the responsibility of promoting safety, both on the streets and in the home. This course examines the social, legal and political responses to alcohol and drug use in contemporary Australian society. Students will explore their own perceptions of the drug-crime relationship and contrast these with the theoretical frameworks that currently exist to guide policy and practice. In particular, this course focuses heavily on current law enforcement and social policy responses to alcohol and drug related crime, examining existing policies and practices such as drug courts, treatment institutions, and early referral into treatment programs.