This course will explore the relationship between addictive drugs and the law and examine mechanisms by which drugs of abuse affect the brain and decision-making on the individual level. The course will also investigate the consequences of those effects at the societal level and examine how society responds to these behaviors in terms of attitudes and laws. Student in the course will also compare perspectives of the criminal justice system with that of drug users.

The course consists of lectures, discussions, guest speakers, media presentations and a project examining cross-generational views on drug use, abuse and laws.

Part of Focus Program cluster: Cognitive Neuroscience and Law. Open only to first-year students in the Focus Program.