Drug policy assessment
Essay question
Critically evaluate the effects that drug use policies have on society and, based on your research, argue for your preferential drug use policy.
Task
There are various drug policies that exist on political/legal/philosophical continuum. In this essay, students will argue for their preferential drug use
policy based on their individual evaluation of the effects that these policies have had on society. Evidence from online learning material, scholarlybased research and media/news articles will be used to support the student’s evaluation.
Note: These drug use policies will be introduced in the online learning module (Module 2).
Length of assessment
No more than 2000 words excluding references (word count needs to be given at the end of the essay, just before the reference list).
Penalties
Plagiarism is penalised harshly. When two or more student reports are found to have a great degree of similarity, all parties involved will be
penalised. Quoting Wikipedia will attract a penalty of 20% per quotation. Late submissions will attract a penalty of 5% per day.
Resources
Scholarly-based research
There are numerous books and journals that examine the societal effect of drug policies which can be accessed to the university library – e.g. The
International Journal of Drug Policy
Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis – Drug Policy Assessment Marking Rubric
Graduate
Attributes
Weight
(%)
Component
of Task
High Distinction
(> 85%)
Distinction
(75 – 84 %)
Credit
(65 – 74%)
Pass
(50 – 64%)
Fail
(< 50%)
Engagement
with the needs
of society
20
Explanation
of drug
policies
Drug policies are introduced
in detail and key themes are
summarised. All relevant
information required for
complete understanding is
presented.
Drug policies are introduced
in detail. Relevant
information is presented
and omissions do not
seriously impede
understanding.
Drug policies are introduced
with some detail. Relevant
information is presented,
though omissions
somewhat impede
understanding.
Drug policies are tenuously
introduced. Some relevant
information is presented,
though omissions
significantly impede
understanding.
Drug policies are not
appropriately introduced.
Information presented does
not improve understanding.
20
Evidence of
thorough
investigation
and critical
evaluation
of societal
effects
High quality, credible and
relevant sources are skilfully
used to develop and
explore ideas. Information
from sources is
appropriately interpreted
and evaluated to develop a
comprehensive and
insightful analysis. Different
sides of the researched
issue(s) are contrasted and
compared, and presented
with detail and clear
understanding.
Credible and relevant
sources are consistently
used to develop and explore
ideas. Information from
sources is appropriately
interpreted and evaluated
to develop a comprehensive
analysis. Different sides of
the researched issue(s) are
presented with detail, some
evidence of contrast and
comparison, and evidence
of understanding.
Credible and relevant
sources are used to develop
ideas. Information from
sources is interpreted and
evaluated to develop a
coherent analysis. Different
sides of the researched
issue(s) are outlined and
discussed to an extent.
Credible sources are used to
develop simple ideas.
Information from sources is
somewhat interpreted, but
not enough to develop a
coherent analysis. Different
sides of the researched
issue(s) may be outlined,
but not explored in depth.
Sources used to develop
ideas are not credible.
Information is taken from
sources is not interpreted.
Different sides of the
research issue(s) are not
explored.
20
Argument
for
preferential
drug policy
Appropriate and convincing
assessment and insight into
the issues associated with
drug policies. A logical
process of assembling facts
to synthesise and present a
compelling case is apparent.
Argument is strongly
supported by the body of
evidence presented, and a
position on the matter is
clearly stated.
Appropriate and convincing
assessment of the issues
associated with drug
policies. A logical process of
assembling facts to
synthesise and present a
consistent case is used, and
understanding of issues is
evident. Argument is
supported by the body of
evidence presented and a
position on the matter is
stated.
The issues associated with
drug policies are assessed
with some convincing
relevant background
research. Facts are
assembled to develop a
consistent case, where an
understanding of issues is
evident. The argument is
supported by the majority
of evidence presented and a
position on the matter is
apparent.
Limited assessment of the
issues associated with drug
policies. Facts are
assembled to develop a
consistent case. Evidence
may be insufficient to
adequately support
argument and/or used
minimally throughout. A
position on the matter can
be deduced from the
argument, but is not
explicit.
The issues associated with
drug policies are not
appropriately assessed. A
case is not made from the
assembled facts. Argument
may not be consistent with
the evidence presented. A
position on the matter
cannot be deduced.
Communication
Skills
20
Quality of
the written
expression
The essay is insightful, clear
and concise, with use of
language maximising
interest and
comprehension. An
appropriate formal tone is
used throughout, with use
of persuasive, convincing,
and appropriately critical
language.
The essay is clear and
concise, with use of
straightforward language
that appropriately conveys
meaning. A formal tone is
used throughout, with use
of convincing and critical
language.
The essay is relatively clear,
with use of language that
generally conveys meaning.
An appropriate tone is used
throughout, with use of
convincing and critical
language in sections.
The essay is
understandable, though use
of language sometimes
impedes meaning. An
appropriate tone is used in
sections, though use of
convincing and/or critical
language is minimal.
The essay is poorly
prepared and difficult to
understand. An appropriate
tone is not used. Language
has multiple problems that
compromise clarity,
meaning and argument.
10 Structure
Organisation and flow of
information is logical and
strengthens the delivery.
Essay is succinct, with
detailed attention to, and
successful execution of both
the overall and paragraph
structures. Key points are
evident throughout the
body of work, and are
highlighted in the
conclusions.
Organisation and flow of
information is clear and
logical. Essay is succinct,
with appropriate execution
of both the overall and
paragraph structures. Key
points are emphasised
throughout the body of
work, and are re-visited in
the conclusions.
Organisation and flow of
information is logical,
though may be unclear in
places. The overall and
paragraph structures are
appropriate, with minimal
errors or isolated breaks in
the flow in argument. Key
points are stated
throughout the body of
work, and most are revisited in the conclusions.
Flow of information is
appropriate to convey
information, though is
disorganised and difficult to
follow in places. The overall
and/or paragraph
structure(s) may weaken
the argument. Key points
can be deduced from the
body of work, but are not
explicit.
Flow of information is
unclear, disorganised and
difficult to follow. The
overall and paragraph
structures are not
appropriate, containing
significant errors. Key points
cannot be deduced from
the body of work.
10 References
An appropriate
referencing style is
consistently and
accurately used. Every
relevant statement or use
of evidence is referenced
throughout.
An appropriate
referencing style is used
consistently with
negligible formatting
errors. Relevant
statements or use of
evidence are referenced
throughout.
An appropriate
referencing style is used,
though some consistent
formatting errors are
apparent. Relevant
statements or use of
evidence are referenced,
though this could be
more consistent
throughout.
An appropriate
referencing style is used,
though some inconsistent
formatting errors are
apparent. Relevant
statements or use of
evidence are
inconsistently referenced
throughout.
An appropriate
referencing style is not
appropriately used.
Relevant statements or
use of evidence are not
referenced throughout.

CITATION