Making Sense of Problem Substance Use in Scotland (C4L) MED1020

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Health and Wellbeing
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: Yes

Short Description

Part of the Curriculum for Life programme, this course introduces the complex issue of substance use in Scotland, a "wicked" problem with significant health and social impacts (Rittel & Webber, 1973; NRS, 2024a, 2024b). Scotland faces disproportionately high rates of alcohol- and drug-related deaths, yet substance use is deeply embedded in its culture. Tackling these harms requires balancing personal freedoms with public health, and involves multiple disciplines-health, law, education, economics, and more.

You will explore how substance use, and problem substance use (PSU) affect individuals, families, and communities. The course encourages reflection on your personal and disciplinary perspectives and fosters compassionate communication of complex issues. Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems model, you will examine PSU from individual to societal levels, considering its links to mental health and the role of health promotion. A masterclass in public engagement and communication will support your final assessment

NRS (2024a) Alcohol-specific deaths remain high https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/alcohol-specific-deaths-remain-high 

NRS (2024b) Drug misuse deaths increase, https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/drug-misuse-deaths-increase 

Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy sciences, 4(2), 155-169.

Timetable

Teaching runs over five weeks in Semester 2. We will offer weekly, in-person workshops with students lasting three hours (including a break). This will be supported with asynchronous learning material for independent study, available to students from the beginning of the course.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Individual Assessment:

■ Portfolio containing the following elements:

■ Information Sheet (1000w) (40%) [ILO1, ILO2]

■ Reflective piece (500w) (40%) [ILO3]

 

Group Assessment:

■ Podcast or vlog (20%) - Length determined by number of group members (no longer than 10min). Must cover a substance use issue (e.g. blood borne viruses) and an intervention (e.g. needle exchange). [ILO1, ILO2]

■ Each group will be required to provide a contribution statement (using a template provided) outlining the ways in which group members contributed. This will be similar to the expectation set by academic journals - e.g. CRediT.

Course Aims

This course aims to equip students with an insight into the complexity around problem substance use (PSU) by exposing them to different, interdisciplinary that PSU can be understood and responded to. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their stance, and pitch how their intended disciplinary degree path can disrupt expectations and contribute to innovative ways to understand and make sense of substance use in Scotland.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

 

1. Discuss how problem substance use is understood from different perspectives

2. Explain, to a variety of different audiences, key issues associated with problem substance use.

3. Reflect on their relationship to substance use on a personal and professional level.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.