1. CJ 411 Unit 1 seminar Drug Facts, History and the Nervous System

2. Facts, history and the nervous system Introduction to the Course Syllabus Questions ??? Facts What are drugs? Provide a definition of Drug Abuse Provide a definition Drug Abuser

3. Facts, history and the nervous system What are the 4 variables that typically enter into a definition of drug abuse? What are the 3 categories of drugs of abuse? What is the difference between “drug abuse” and “drug addition” ? What factors determine if moderate use of a psychoactive drug will be defined as drug abuse? What is the relationship between drugs and criminal behavior?

4. Facts, history and the nervous system What is the relationship between drug use and violence? History What accounted for the general lack of public concern about drug abuse prior to WWII? Why has the issue of drugs proven so popular with politicians? How does the history of drug legislation affect today’s “war on drugs” ?

5. Facts, history and the nervous system What led to the turn toward treatment of drug abuse during the 1960s? The Nervous System Besides dosage, what variables determine a drug’s impact on an individual? Why can’t the findings of laboratory studies on animals be generalized to humans? What is the relationship between drug abuse and the pleasure centers of the brain?

6. Facts, history and the nervous system Do you think there is a genetic link to drug abuse? Why or why not? Would finding a genetic link alter the government’s and society’s response to drug abuse and drug abusers? Wrap Up Questions ? Seminar 2 next week !!!