- Cole, M.D. The Analysis of Controlled Substances. Wiley 2003.

- Bancroft, A. Drugs, Intoxication and Society. Cambridge: Polity Press 2009.

- HM Government. Drug Strategy 2010, Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery: Supporting People to Live a Drug Free Life. London: Home Office 2010.

- Bean, P. Drugs and Crime. Cullompton: Willan 2004.

Students will be expected to complete one piece of summative assessment, a Portfolio consisting of:

1. Four tutorial worksheets (50%). This element of assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4.
2. Evidence of satisfactory engagement with two on-line discussion sessions (50%). This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 3 and 4.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):

Each activity will involve formative assessment and feedback opportunities. Students will also be able to access additional formative assignments through Blackboard activities and during designated face-to-face tutorials and interactive online sessions.

Exercises will be set through the online facility on Blackboard in order to facilitate regular formative contact with the students.

This module enables the learner to gain an understanding of the current drug legislation in England and Wales, with particular reference to the Misuse of Drugs Act, including the identification of issues with legislation such as the impact that the development of new drugs has on policing illegal drug use.
In addition to the policing element, the module also examines the methods used to process crime scenes involving drugs and related paraphernalia, including the Health and Safety implications and the recovery and packaging of evidential items.
Learners will also explore the role of forensic analysis within drug related investigations including outlining the analytical techniques available for identification and association of illegal drugs.
Discussions between learners and academics will explore the impact that drug use has socially and economically, highlighting examples of drugs in sport and the relationship between drug use and criminal activity. Specific case studies will be discussed with relation to illegal drugs in sport, in the media and with particular reference to policing and investigative enquiries.

The module is a blended module, predominantly making use of the Blackboard VLE environment to deliver its material. Activities will be posted on the module on a weekly basis. Each activity will contain notes, either as word files or PowerPoint presentations, as well as additional material (required reading, discussion points, and formative quizzes). The online activities will be supported by face-to-face tutorials to enable deeper understanding of the material. A variety of text and web resources will be used depending on the area being studied. In addition to the tutorials you will need to spend at least 15h per week study time, with some dedicated times for answering on-line formative assessments and for taking part in online discussion groups.

Entry onto Offender Management degree programme.

Access to a computer capable of accessing the Internet, to enable use of the University Blackboard VLE and online library facilities.