Description
For this assessment, you are required to review a recent drug policy, treatment strategy, or educational initiative (see example list below). You should aim to identify and critically analyse relevant research, evidence and debates around the policy, strategy or initiative. If it is a treatment strategy or educational initiative, you need to discuss the wider drug policy it relates to.
Do not evaluate a drug service or organisation. The evaluation should identify the key components of the policy, initiative or response and contain some critical evaluation of research, evidence and outcomes. It should provide a critical analysis of the underlying assumptions embedded in the policy, initiative or response; the wider social and policy context, the debates it gives rise to and the impact it might have on drug users and society. Please ensure your work contains a good balance between description and analysis.
TITLE SECTION
The suggested (drug) policies for evaluation are not titles.
You may wish to formulate a question e.g. What is the relationship between stop & search & drug laws in the UK?
Or add more variables to an investigation or exploration e.g. An investigation of stop & search, drug laws & profiling.
The content of the title should reflect what is in the presentation/evaluation.
You can change the title later to something more creative.
INTRO
Ensure you pick a good title for the evaluation.
Start to write an intro – what is the policy? What is the social and political context of the policy?
You can write the first part of the introduction early on
What is the policy or initiative & (briefly) how does it relate to the relevant drug laws in the country? What is covered in each subsection? What is the overall argument (write at end)
IDEAS FOR SUBTOPICS
A detailed analysis of the broader policy context – What are the wider drug policies in the country that inform or demonstrate the need for this policy? Why was the policy adopted? What is the wider legal, political and social context?
Discussion of a theory that is relevant to/underpins the policy e.g. stop and search & drug laws – institutional racism, profiling, othering etc.
Media coverage of the policy (if relevant).
A discussion of the obstacles to its implementation (if relevant) e.g. Drug testing in clubs and festivals.
A discussion of the (supposed) strengths of the policy?
A discussion of its flaws. How has it been criticised?
Compare different countries where the laws and practices are very different e.g. From countries with very punitive laws to ones with more progressive ones.
Use a case study approach for looking at the impacts of the policy– a country, a local area, a group or person who has experienced the policy.
CONCLUSION
Summarise all the arguments.
Is there a clear overall argument?
Do not say anything new just summarize
You could make some recommendations if relevant
Proof read – check grammar and punctuation
Reference all claims made. The more referencing the more convincing your argument is. Do make sure you reference thoroughly and correctly.
You can reference websites, newspaper articles and tv/films – see referencing guide. BUT with these sources try and reference the reports they draw from.
You can use ibid.
Do not reference website addresses in the text. For instance, do not put but the Ministry of Justice (2017), that is, write the name of the organisation and the date.
Use plenty of published sources (your bibliography should have no less than 12 references).
