The Politics of Drug & Alcohol Policy

Designed for professionals working in substance use, health, social care and related fields, this course develops the knowledge and analytical skills needed to understand how drug and alcohol policy is shaped, implemented and challenged. Participants will explore the political, social and organisational influences that affect policy development, enabling them to critically evaluate policy decisions and their impact on practice.

Drawing on Scottish, UK and international perspectives, the course examines policy development, governance, advocacy, evidence, stakeholder influence and contemporary policy debates. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to analyse policy, develop evidence-informed responses and contribute confidently to policy discussions within your organisation and the wider sector.

To view the module descriptor (CDAS11004), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of drug and alcohol policy and its influence on professional practice, service delivery and decision-making.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Professionals working in drug and alcohol services
• Practitioners in health, social care, criminal justice and related sectors
• Individuals with a degree in social, health or related sciences seeking to develop specialist expertise in drug and alcohol policy
• Professionals with relevant work experience who want to strengthen their ability to critically evaluate policy and governance
• Those seeking to contribute to policy development, service improvement or further postgraduate study in Contemporary Drug & Alcohol Studies

 

Why take this course?

Drug and alcohol policy shapes how services are designed, resources are allocated and support is delivered across health, social care and criminal justice. Understanding how policies are developed – and the political, social and organisational influences that shape them – is increasingly important for professionals who want to contribute to evidence-informed practice and meaningful policy change.

This course helps you critically examine the processes behind policy development, from governance, advocacy and stakeholder influence to the role of evidence and political ideology. You will explore contemporary policy debates in Scotland, the UK and internationally, developing the skills to analyse policy, evaluate its impact on individuals and communities, and contribute informed, evidence-based responses to current and emerging challenges in the field of drug and alcohol policy.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate current drug and alcohol policy issues from Scottish, UK and international perspectives
• Analyse how governance, political processes and stakeholder influence shape the development and implementation of drug and alcohol policy
• Assess policy using evidence, theoretical frameworks and contemporary policy analysis techniques to inform professional decision-making
• Communicate complex policy issues clearly and effectively through a range of professional and digital formats
• Develop innovative, evidence-informed responses to contemporary challenges relating to substance use and public policy

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online, providing the flexibility to study alongside your professional commitments. Learning combines recorded lectures, online tutorials, asynchronous learning activities, personal development planning and independent study, enabling you to explore contemporary policy issues while engaging in critical discussion and analysis with academic staff and fellow participants.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including 24 hours of lectures and core content delivery, 12 hours of tutorial and synchronous support, 32 hours of asynchronous class activity, 32 hours of personal development planning, and around 100 hours of independent study. Learning resources are provided through the University's virtual learning environment, supporting flexible, self-directed study.

This flexible online delivery model enables you to develop advanced specialist knowledge while balancing postgraduate study with the demands of professional practice.

 

Course content

• Understanding policy development

Explore how drug and alcohol policies are developed across Scotland, the UK and internationally, examining the political, social and organisational influences that shape policy decisions.

• Politics, evidence and decision-making

Examine how evidence, political ideology, advocacy, lobbying and stakeholder interests influence policy formulation and implementation within the substance use field.

• Analysing policy and governance

Develop an understanding of contemporary policy analysis frameworks, governance models and policy-making processes that support critical evaluation of drug and alcohol policy.

• Contemporary policy debates

Critically explore current debates surrounding drug and alcohol policy, including the impact of policy decisions on people who use substances, families, communities and other affected populations.

• Stakeholders and systems

Consider the roles of policy communities, professional networks and decision-makers, and how competing interests and perspectives influence policy development and reform.

• Applying policy analysis to professional practice

Use evidence-informed approaches to evaluate policy, develop practical responses to contemporary challenges and contribute confidently to policy and service development within your organisation.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply policy analysis and evidence-informed thinking to contemporary drug and alcohol policy, demonstrating your ability to evaluate complex issues and communicate practical recommendations.

You will complete two complementary assessments: a policy briefing on a specific drug, alcohol or other substance policy issue, and an essay critically analysing a specific policy within the field. Together, these assessments develop your ability to interpret evidence, evaluate governance and policy-making processes, present balanced policy analysis and formulate evidence-informed responses to contemporary challenges in professional practice.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply policy analysis frameworks to evaluate contemporary drug and alcohol policy and its impact on practice
• Critically assess evidence, governance and stakeholder perspectives when considering policy development and reform
• Reflect on current policy debates through discussion, independent enquiry and analysis of real-world policy issues
• Develop evidence-informed approaches to addressing complex policy challenges affecting individuals, families and communities

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in analysing and interpreting drug and alcohol policy
• Enhanced capability to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations and contribute to strategic decision-making
• Practical skills to communicate complex policy issues clearly to professional and specialist audiences
• A stronger ability to influence policy discussions, support service development and contribute to effective responses to substance use at organisational and system level

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals who want to develop specialist knowledge of drug and alcohol policy and strengthen their ability to analyse policy, governance and evidence-informed decision-making.

As this is an SCQF Level 11 course, participants should be prepared to study at postgraduate level. The course is suitable for individuals with a degree in social, health or related sciences, as well as professionals with relevant experience working in the drug and alcohol sector who wish to deepen their expertise.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations. This course also forms a core component of the MSc, PgDip and PgCert in Contemporary Drug & Alcohol Studies.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Drug and alcohol policy continues to evolve in response to changing evidence, public health priorities and wider social challenges. Professionals working across health, social care, criminal justice and the third sector increasingly need the ability to interpret policy, evaluate evidence and understand the political and organisational factors that shape decision-making.

This course reflects contemporary professional practice by examining policy development through the lenses of governance, evidence, advocacy and stakeholder influence. Participants will strengthen their ability to critically evaluate policy, contribute to strategic discussions and support evidence-informed policy and service development across a range of professional settings.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.