Assignment 1 Decriminalization of Marijuana

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Assignment 1 Decriminalization of Marijuana

After alcohol, marijuana has historically been the most likely drug to be commonly abused in the United States. As a result, many different ways of thinking have emerged, for example, whether there should be medical uses for the drug and whether sanctions for possessing and using the drug should be decriminalized. This module allows you to delve into these controversial issues. You are encouraged to think about the pros and cons related to this topic from a personal perspective as well as from a wider societal perspective.

Tasks:

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research decriminalization of marijuana.

In a minimum of 300 words, respond to the following:

• Describe your research findings.
• Explain how the decriminalization of marijuana would impact the criminal justice system.

Apply APA standards to cite the sources.

Submission Details: By Friday June 23,2017

Assignment 2: Managing Repeat DUI Offenders

A common type of referral for drug and alcohol treatment stems from driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offences. While DUI refers to impairment from any drug, alcohol is still the most common reason individuals are getting DUIs. Alcohol abuse and its relationship to crime in the United States are well documented. One common issue challenging the treatment community and the legal system is how to best manage repeat DUI offenders. This has been addressed at a number of levels, including mandatory jail or prison time, three-day driver intervention programs, and other more intensive forms of treatment such as intensive outpatient programming and residential treatments.

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research the models utilized to address this issue in the United States. You may also contact agencies and providers in your area as a source of information for this assignment.

Tasks:

In a 5- to 6-page paper, respond to the following:

• Examine the model utilized to address repeat DUI offenders in your city or state. My state is Louisiana.
• Explain the legal implications of this model.
• List and explain the treatment approaches.

Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Submission Details: Monday June 26, 2017

Assignment  Grading Criteria	Maximum Points
Examined the model utilized to address repeat DUI offenders in your city or state, including the legal implications.	48
Explained the treatment approaches for addressing the issue supported by research.	32
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.	20
Total:	100

 Assignments 3 and 4

These assignments examine the biological, psychological, and sociological theories of substance abuse. It will challenge you to examine your beliefs about substance abuse as you analyze whether substance abuse is a matter of choice or whether there are other explanations that better describe this process. Motivational enhancement therapy was introduced by Miller in 1985 and is based on the transtheoretical model of change described by Prochaska and DiClemente.

When conducting assessments, it is important to assess for the stage of change (i.e., precontemplative, contemplative, etc.), the pattern of substance use, the age at onset, factors that affect substance use, family history, the level of insight into use, goals, and the level of motivation to change.

Assignment 3: Case Study: Prescription Painkillers

Tami was recently arraigned for a drug charge and was offered treatment in lieu of a conviction. She reportedly has a longstanding history of using a variety of prescription painkillers. Tami is a single mother with two children in elementary school. She has recently been laid off from her job as a home health aide. As the coordinator of the drug court program for your county, you are responsible for putting together a preliminary plan for Tami’s community supervision plan.

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research methods for developing community supervision plans.

In a minimum of 250 words, respond to the following:

• Describe some of the key aspects that you would include in Tami’s plan.
• Support your ideas from the material from the assigned reading.

Apply APA standards to cite the sources.

Submission Details: Friday June 30, 2017

Assignment 4: Intake Assessments

Justin was recently referred to the agency where you work as an intake worker for a criminal diversion program (CDP). The program is for first-time offenders for charges of underage consumption and misdemeanor drug possession. In your role as the mental health professional, one of the tasks you complete with new intake clients is the administration of the University of Rhode Island Individual Change Assessment (URICA).

Tasks:

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research the URICA.

Then, click here to take the assessment as though you are Justin. Answer the questions the way that you think Justin might answer them as a first-time offender with charges of underage consumption and misdemeanor drug possession.

There are FIVE possible responses to each of the items in the questionnaire:

1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Undecided
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree

1.	As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have any problems that need changing.
2.	I think I might be ready for some self-improvement.
3.	I am doing something about the problems that had been bothering me.
4.	It might be worthwhile to work on my problem.
5.	I’m not the problem one. It doesn’t make much sense for me to be here.
6.	It worries me that I might slip back on a problem I have already changed, so I am here to seek help.
7.	I am finally doing some work on my problem.
8.	I’ve been thinking that I might want to change something about myself.
9.	I have been successful in working on my problem but I’m not sure I can keep up the effort on my own.
10.	At times my problem is difficult, but I’m working on it.
11.	Being here is pretty much a waste of time for me because the problem doesn’t have to do with me.
12.	I’m hoping this place will help me to better understand myself.
13.	I guess I have faults, but there’s nothing that I really need to change.
14.	I am really working hard to change.
15.	I have a problem and I really think I should work at it.
16.	I’m not following through with what I had already changed as well as I had hoped, and I’m here to prevent a relapse of the problem.
17.	Even though I’m not always successful in changing, I am at least working on my problem.
18.	I thought once I had resolved my problem I would be free of it, but sometimes I still find myself struggling with it.
19.	I wish I had more ideas on how to solve the problem.
20.	I have started working on my problems but I would like help.
21.	Maybe this place will be able to help me.
22.	I may need a boost right now to help me maintain the changes I’ve already made.
23.	I may be part of the problem, but I don’t really think I am.
24.	I hope that someone here will have some good advice for me.
25.	Anyone can talk about changing; I’m actually doing something about it.
26.	All this talk about psychology is boring. Why can’t people just forget about their problems?
27.	I’m here to prevent myself from having a relapse of my problem.
28.	It is frustrating, but I feel I might be having a recurrence of a problem I thought I had resolved.
29.	I have worries but so does the next guy. Why spend time thinking about them?
30.	I am actively working on my problem.
31.	I would rather cope with my faults than try to change them.
32.	After all I had done to try to change my problem, every now and again it comes back to haunt me.

 

Create a 5- to 6-page Microsoft Word document, addressing the following:

• Record your scores from the tool. Apply and discuss the score derived from your mock self-administration of the URICA to the case of as Justin.
• Describe how you would explain the URICA and the stages of change to Justin based on the scores that you obtained as Justin.

Apply APA standards to cite the sources.

Submission Details: Tuesday July 5, 2017

Assignment 5: Drug Courts

Although drug courts have become popular across the United States, they continue to be a controversial topic. Politically, these judicial interventions may be construed as being “soft” on crime. Proponents of drug courts use science and statistics to help justify their viability.

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research the definition and role of drug courts.

Tasks:

In a minimum of 300 words, respond to the following:

• Provide a definition of drug courts.
• Explain whether you agree or disagree with the concept of drug courts. Give reasons supported by scholarly research.

Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Submission Details: Friday July 5,2017

Assignment 6: RA 1: Substance Abuse Intake Assessment

Using the module’s readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research intake assessments. Select at least 3–4 scholarly resources from professional literature to reference in this assignment.

For this assignment, read the following scenario and conduct a Psychosocial Needs Assessment for the patient during an Intake Assessment.

Scenario

The Adult Probation Department has referred to your office a client, Sue, for an intake assessment.

Presenting Problem

Sue is a twenty-eight-year-old Haitian woman who has been addicted to crack cocaine. She has recently pled guilty to charges of possession, sale of an illicit substance, and of engaging in prostitution.

Click here to download and review the case history for Sue.

Scenario

The Adult Probation Department has referred to your office a client, Sue, for an intake assessment.

 Presenting Problem

Sue is a 28-year-old Haitian woman who has been addicted to crack cocaine. She has recently pled guilty to charges of possession, sale of an illicit substance, and of engaging in prostitution.

 

Social History

Sue is a single mother of four children (ages 2, 4, 5, and 8) and a high school dropout. She has been a victim of domestic violence by the father of her children who later left her and the four children. His whereabouts now are unknown. She believes he has returned to Haiti. She now maintains an ongoing lesbian relationship with her best friend, another prostitute.

She emigrated with her children from Haiti to the U.S. after the major 2010 earthquake in her country. They all moved in with her aunt and uncle in Miami, Florida. After four months, her aunt and uncle asked her to find her own living arrangements due to her financial problems and she moved into a hotel in downtown Miami with her children. At the hotel, Sue’s drug dealing neighbor enticed her into selling drugs for extra income. She then began using the drugs she sold, which led her to be in debt to her dealer. Due to her financial problems and drug abuse, she began prostituting to pay the dealer and to support her addiction.

Sue speaks fairly fluent English, but is fluent in Haitian French. She grew up in the city of Port au Prince, Haiti and is the youngest of eight children. One older sister and one older brother died of pneumonia when they were less than five years of age. Her father was an alcoholic and involved in petty crimes, and her mother suffered from an undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Sue was raised Catholic by her maternal grandmother with whom she lived for an extended period of time. She was the only child who studied English and did well in school. Although she initially dropped out of school after grade 10 to help with her family, she returned and obtained a General Educational Development (GED). She was the only one in her family to finish school.

She worked as a teacher’s aide in Haiti in her early 20s and has an interest in working with children as a future vocation.

After Sue pled guilty to charges of possession, sale of an illicit substance, and of engaging in prostitution, she was held in county jail for a few days. While in jail and awaiting her preliminary hearing, she attempted suicide one night by stuffing her throat and nose with clothing. Her attempt was noticed by a cellmate who called correctional officers to assist. Sue was then transferred to a local inpatient unit for crisis evaluation and services, including medication. She was referred to a homeless shelter upon her release from jail today. She has no income and her children have been placed in foster care. Sue and her children are also now facing deportation concerns.

Tasks:

Your task is to complete Sue’s intake assessment on the template provided. Focusing on the last two sections of the template (Needs Assessment and Intake Review), provide a thorough summary and recommendations for Sue’s treatment. Make sure to include research to support diagnostic considerations and treatment recommendations.

Keep in mind that this intake assessment will be included in Sue’s medical record. Thus, make sure you write thoroughly to express all ideas completely in your support of the diagnostic impression and treatment recommendations. This means each section should contain a minimum of 1–2 paragraphs. Your work should rely upon at least 3–4 resources from scholarly, professional literature and relevant resources.

Click here to download and review the intake assessment template to complete your assignment.

SUGGESTED DIAGNOSES:
 

Reviewer Signature 

Write an 8- to 10-page assessment report in a Microsoft Word document. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Submission Details: Monday July 11,2017

Assignment 7: Justifying Profiling

The business of drug trafficking can be dangerous. Therefore, those working in law enforcement have developed tools to help make their jobs a bit safer and use data to inform how they approach their work.

Review the assigned textbook reading, “Drugs and the Criminal Justice System,” in which Levinthal explores the idea of profiling related to drug trafficking.

In a minimum of 300 words, respond to the following:

• Explain whether you believe that profiling (or certain types of profiling) can be justified, given the consequences associated with the smuggling of drugs. Be sure to use the textbook to support your ideas.

Apply APA standards to cite sources.

Submission Details: Friday July 15,2017

Assignment 8: Intervention Comparisons

There are a variety of substance abuse treatment interventions available. In this assignment, you will compare and contrast two such interventions.

Tasks:

Using the module readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research substance abuse treatment interventions. Select 2–3 scholarly resources to reference in this assignment.

Select two substance abuse treatment interventions to examine in this assignment.

Write a 2- to 3-page paper in Word format, addressing the following:

• Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each selected substance abuse treatment intervention.
• Discuss specific types of substance abuse that would benefit from your selected interventions.
• Identify potential barriers to treatment. Make sure to include barriers that are both internal to the patient (such as motivation) and external to the patient (such as environment).

Make sure you integrate research from at least 2–3 scholarly sources to support your ideas.

Apply APA standards to cite the sources.

Submission Details: Monday July 17,2017

Assignment 9: Working with Women

Gender-specific treatment clearly makes sense in the area of criminal justice and substance abuse programming. It is necessary to consider related topics such as family history, previous exposure to trauma, domestic violence, childhood experiences, and gender expectations.

Working with women in the criminal justice system who are also addicted to substances presents specific challenges.

Using the module readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research common issues and concerns associated with working with women.

In a minimum of 300 words, respond to the following:

• Explain two situations or conditions involving female clients, probationers, or inmates who you anticipate will be challenging for you to manage.
• Describe the difficulties of the situations or conditions and how you anticipate managing these concerns.

Apply APA standards to cite the sources.

Submission Details: Friday July 21,2017

 Assignment 10: RA 2: Proposed Substance Abuse Treatment Plan

The Adult Probation Department has referred to your office a client, Sue, for an intake assessment. Sue is a 28-year-old Haitian woman who has been addicted to crack cocaine. She has recently pled guilty to charges of possession and sale of an illicit substance and of engaging in prostitution.

In M3 Assignment 2 RA 1, you completed Sue’s intake assessment, including diagnostic considerations and treatment recommendations. In this assignment, you will develop a proposed treatment plan for her.

Using the module readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research treatment plans.

Click here to download and review Sue’s case history.

Continuation of Scenario

Sue’s assigned probation officer has requested that you provide the court with a treatment and service plan. This plan will aid in determining the areas and types of services that appropriately address Sue’s diagnoses, risks, needs, and strengths in terms of stability, sobriety, recovery, and self-sufficiency. The probation officer will consider your plan when making a recommendation for conditions of probation to the court.

Tasks:

Develop a substance abuse treatment plan. The plan must include the following headings with thorough answers. Support your responses with relevant literature.

1. Level and Type of Care: Recommend and explain the level and type of care in the treatment plan. Make sure to address the following:
   • Crisis and urgent care, for example, danger to self, medical crises, etc.
   • Level of care, for example, inpatient, outpatient—include ethical issues.
   • The types of substance abuse treatment, for example, detoxification, agonist intervention.
2. Referrals for Related Services: In addition to the treatment that you would provide, recommend and justify resources and providers that would be needed to provide comprehensive, wraparound services. Make sure to address the following:
   • Community-based services
   • Psychoeducation
   • Medical treatment: neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and all medical providers
   • Case management and the integration of treatment services
3. Ethical Issues: Describe the ethical issues that may emerge in Sue’s treatment and service plans and propose how they would be resolved. Make sure you address the following:
   • Relationship and coordination with the criminal justice system, for example, the court and the probation officer
4. Diversity Issues: Describe any diversity issues and explain how you would address them. Make sure you address the following:
   • Culture
   • Religion
   • Gender
   • Age
   • Ethnicity
   • Sexual orientation
   • Socioeconomic status
5. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention: Evaluate what is needed for the client and make recommendations for aftercare and relapse prevention, for example, addressing triggers and medication.

Write an 8- to 10-page plan in a Microsoft Word document. Apply APA standards to cite sources.

Submission Details: Monday July 24, 2017