Reading Assignment for Section 3

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 3: Drug Laws and Policies.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll explore the foundations of drug laws and policies, both in the U.S. and globally, learning how they are implemented and enforced. You’ll examine the historical and political forces behind these policies, as well as their social impacts, such as mass incarceration and racial disparities. By the end, you’ll gain insight into reform movements and alternative approaches that aim to create more effective and equitable systems.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 3: Drug Laws and Policies

• SLO 1: Explain the key provisions of U.S. drug laws, international treaties, and their implementation, including the Controlled Substances Act, major amendments, and global agreements like the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
• SLO 2: Analyze the historical, social, and political factors that shaped policies such as the War on Drugs and evaluate their impacts, including mass incarceration, racial disparities, and international relations.
• SLO 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of alternative approaches to drug policy, including decriminalization, legalization, harm reduction strategies, and judicial reforms, and assess their potential for addressing systemic inequities.
• SLO 4: Discuss the roles of domestic and international organizations, such as the DEA, UNODC, and WHO, in coordinating enforcement and public health efforts to combat emerging challenges, such as synthetic drugs and human rights concerns.
• SLO 5: Assess the progress and challenges of drug policy reform movements, including the legalization of marijuana, the rise of harm reduction initiatives, and recent legislative reforms aimed at creating a more equitable judicial system.

You are welcome to print a copy of pages from this Open Educational Resource (OER) book for your personal use. Please note that mass distribution, commercial use, or the creation of altered versions of the content for distribution are strictly prohibited. This permission is intended to support your individual learning needs while maintaining the integrity of the material.

 Print This Text Section