Position Paper on SUD Treatment
Position Paper on SUD Treatment
This is where you take a real, grounded stance on a controversial or complex issue in the field of substance use work. Your goal is to make a clear argument that shows critical thinking, ethical awareness, and real engagement with the course material.
Some examples of possible topics include:
- harm reduction vs. abstinence-based recovery
- mandated/coerced treatment
- racial disparities in access to care or criminalization
- the role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Spirituality in treatment
- decriminalization, legalization
- any other topic you've been wrestling with. Pitch you idea if unsure!
This isn't a research paper or literature review. It's an opportunity to demonstrate that you've thought something through and can defend your perspective with clarity, nuance, and integrity.
Requirements:
- 5-6 pages (double spaced)
- Choose a specific and meaningful issue
- Take a clear stance and build a well-supported argument
- Acknowledge nuance, complexity, and possible counterpoints
- Cite at least 4-6 scholarly sources
- Use APA-style citations (don't stress perfection)
| Criteria | Excellent (5) | Good (3-4) | Needs Improvement (1-2) |
| Clarity of Position & Argument | Takes a clear, meaningful stance and develops it with depth and nuance | Position is clear; argument is generally strong but may lack depth in places | Position is vague, undeveloped, or unsupported |
| Integration of Course Material and Scholarship | Skillfully incorporates 4-6 course readings or scholarly sources to support claims and demonstrate depth | Use sources to support argument, though integration may be surface-level or uneven | Minimal use of course material; sources are unclear, misused, or missing |
| Engagement with Complexity | Thoughtfully addresses counterpoints, ethical tensions, and structural dimensions of the issue | Attempts to address multiple sides; may lack depth or miss key complexity | Paper avoids nuance or oversimplifies the issues |
| Voice, Organization, Style | Writing is clear, organized, and engaging. Tone is persuasive and professional | Writing is mostly clear and organized; minor issues with flow or tone | Disorganized, unclear, or overly casual; hard to follow argument |
| Citation & Formatting | APA style used accurately for all citations and references | Minor APA issues; mostly correct formatting | Missing or inaccurate citations; APA not followed |