Drug Use: Evidence-based Policy and Interventions

A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent is typically looked for. However, applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
• TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.

On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:

1. compare and critically evaluate major international approaches to drug treatment and harm reduction, and consider the theoretical perspectives that have informed their development;
2. analyse the implications of harm reduction and recovery approaches in policy discourse and the development of practice;
3. apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront and current issues of UK and international approaches to the drug problem;
4. critically review approaches to working with specific groups of drug affected individuals and families and the implications these may have on individuals and communities;
5. critically consider and reflect on personal, professional and societal values and the ways these might impact on development of drug policy and practice.

The module is delivered fully online with weekly asynchronous lectures of approximately an hour (which you listen to in your own time) and live seminars of 1.5 hours delivered on MS Teams.

The content covers a range of topics including: needle and syringe programmes; drug consumption rooms; naloxone; pharmacological interventions; drug checking; social prescribing; psychosocial interventions and interventions within a criminal justice setting. The module also explores supporting specific groups such as young people; affected families; older people; and women who use drugs.

The module is delivered fully online, with weekly asynchronous lectures (i.e. do in your own time) and live seminars every second week (for 1.5 hours) delivered on MS Teams. There are a range of online e-activities such as Discussion boards, videos, readings, and other resources to supplement learning. You will have two assessments.

The first piece involves writing a non-academic blog post where you will be asked to discuss how policy as well as societal and professional values can impact on the practice field. The second assignment asks you to write a proposal for the establishment of an intervention related to substance use. You will be asked to submit a proposal drawing from the subject matter of the module. The intervention could involve any city/country and any group of people who use drugs. You do not have to ‘invent’ an intervention, what you are asked to do is put forth a convincing case based on the best available evidence of what exists and might hypothetically improve outcomes in your chosen area. 

Dr Wendy Masterton

Student often already work in their chosen career and this module will help supplement their knowledge and understanding within a variety of fields. These include:

• Policy and advocacy: roles working on the development and or promotion of policies aiming at addressing substance use issues, locally, nationally or internationally.
• Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs): roles that focus on contributing to, and designing, the implementation of public health strategies and programmes.
• Public services: roles providing direct support to individuals with problem substance use.
• Third sector organisations: roles in the non-profit sector that provide support to people with problems substance use.
• Research and academia: role working in research developing an evidence based for substance use policy, treatment and services.