HST 213
Parkland Community College
“Few areas of practice encompass as wide a range of
situations and people as substance abuse practice. Nearly
everyone in the United States has at one time or another experienced
substance use, abuse, or chemical dependency among friends, family
members, or acquaintances. Many of us, including social workers,
have personally used or abused substances at some time in our lives”
(Johnson, 2004).
As Johnson points out in the above quote, drugs and alcohol surround
us. Professionals who work in health care, education, child welfare,
law enforcement, and recreation will all be confronted with issues
related to substance abuse. In this class we will explore a number of
aspects of drug use, abuse, and addiction. We will seek to
understand substance abuse in its historical, social, and scientific
context. From that understanding, we will begin to explore
practical skills that help us work with individuals, families, and
groups affected by substance abuse.