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Course Catalog
Drug Policy and Public Health Strategies Clinic (4/4)
The course examines a range of public health and civil rights strategies to assist persons with histories of drug and alcohol dependence and the programs that serve them. The clinic is a two-semester course for four credits each semester. Students will represent individual clients who face discrimination based on their drug histories and work on legislative/policy projects designed to expand access to drug treatment and services essential to rehabilitation. Students will also research legal issues that uniquely affect persons with histories of drug problems and conduct education programs to facilitate self-advocacy. Individual and organizational clients are primarily from Baltimore, and the policy work has a city and state-wide focus. Students will have an opportunity to collaborate with professionals from other University of Maryland schools, treatment providers, lawyers and community-based organizations. Examples of the legal work students have performed in the past include: drafting city and state legislation, civil rights complaints, legal opinions and advocacy materials; presenting testimony and conducting advocacy to address discriminatory zoning barriers to the establishment of treatment services and unlawful child welfare interventions for pregnant women with drug use histories; representing individual clients in employment discrimination matters; conducting administrative and legislative advocacy to address the denial of drug treatment to individuals at the Baltimore City Detention Center; and advising organizational clients on Medicaid reimbursement for adolescent treatment services and the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) health privacy regulations. The weekly classroom seminar will expose students to the full range of legal strategies that practitioners use to address legal problems, including client counseling, the development of litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and community organizing. We also examine our nation’s approach to drug problems and the consequences of policies that focus on criminal justice interventions rather than public health solutions. There are no prerequisites or co-requisites for the course. Up to eight (8) students may enroll, and students who are in the law and health program may receive credit toward the Law and Health Certificate. This course satisfies the Cardin Requirement. Second and third year students are welcome. Students who enroll in this course are required to attend a full, one day Law Practice Orientation Program, and then a separate day and a half Drug Policy Clinic orientation immediately following .
Current & Previous Instructors:
Ellen Weber;
| 543D (CRN: 93468) Credits: 7 Weber. Fall, 2010 (Day). Tues: 3:15-5:15 Room 309. 0 openings. (Limit 8). Faculty permission required to add or drop. Booklist. |
Key to Codes in Course Descriptions
P: PrerequisiteC: Prerequisite or Concurrent Requirement
R: Recommended Prior or Concurrent Course
