Students are to choose any controversial topic related to substance abuse and exhibit this knowledge in a carefully crafted research paper. Feel free to use our e-text to help narrow down an area of interest. You are strongly encouraged to contact me with your topic idea for your paper prior to beginning your research. Examples include: Risks associated with Drug Abuse, Drug Treatment, Understanding Addiction, Drug Prevention & Education, Adolescent Brain & Drug Use, Drug Testing, Punishment vs Treatment, Sober Homes, Drug Abuse & Mental Health Disorders, Medical Marijuana Debate, Rise in Vaping, Drug Abuse & Crime Rates, Drunk Driving & Drunk Violence, Opioid Epidemic, LGBTQ & Drug Abuse, Legal Drinking Age in Different Countries, Drugs & Consent, etc.
Your paper needs to meet all of the following requirements – please be sure to view the Research Paper Rubric below for additional components.
• Uses at least 10 peer-reviewed journal articles
• Properly uses APA 7 th edition
• Bibliography uses APA style
• 8-10 pages in length (excluding cover page and bibliography)
• Double-spaced
• New Times Roman or Arial font, 12 point
• 1” margins
• Headings for each component of the paper
• No big gaps between paragraphs
• Attention has been paid to grammar and spelling
• Paper presents as a professional, high quality piece of work
• Must be submitted on Blackboard, on time (emailed papers will not be read). Late submission will not be accepted and will
result in a “0”, no exceptions
• Identify the health issue and explain why you have a personal interest in this specific topic
• As a future health professional, why is it important to be educated about this problem?
• Known causes of this health issue, in addition to your own opinion
• How does our current society view this problem? What beliefs exist about this issue? Include your opinion
• Compare your chosen controversial topic to another country
• Identify an organization in the US that deals with this specific health issue. Identify an organization in one other country that also deals with this problem. What is the mission of each organization? What services do they offer? Compare and contrast, be sure to include your opinion
• What is a recommended website, movie/documentary and book about your chosen topic? Write a brief blurb about each one. What would someone find interesting about each in relation to the health issue?
• Create a summary of the main ways this problem is being addressed in the US and in the other country you have selected
• Identify one method/approach for addressing this problem that you believe is good or has potential to be effective. Explain
why you prefer this approach over others.
• As a future health educator/professional, what contribution can you make in addressing this issue on the local, national and
international level.
