Alcohol and Other Drug Issues is a wide ranging course that takes a public heath approach. It has relevance for population health related to drug use, health management of people who are drug users and abusers, drug policy, and raises important controversial issues. Use of alcohol and other drugs is a major issue in determining the health of individuals and populations in developed and developing countries. The four components of this course are: the size of the drug problem; model of dependence; harm reduction; and relapse prevention. This course is a distance learning course offered in flexible delivery mode. At the end of this course students will understand the patterns of dug use and health effects; and will have learnt about issues of drug dependence. Students will learn about the range of public health approaches available to minimise problems related to substance abuse such as harm reduction strategies. Students will develop skills in brief interventions to use with excessive drinkers and will appreciate the issues associated with relapse. This course provides students with important knowledge and skills that will enable them to plan effective alcohol and drug services.