The Neuroscience Behind Drugs of Abuse: A PharmD Service-Learning Project

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate a service-learning program that involved PharmD students at Duquesne University delivering the presentation, “The Neuroscience Behind Drugs of Abuse,” to area middle school and high school students, to dissuade these teenagers from experimenting with illicit drugs. Methods. Student presenters administered exit surveys to students and teachers in the audience to assess the presentations, kept a reflective journal of the presentations and interactions with the student audience, regularly met with faculty mentors to refine the presentation and compare experiences with other students, and wrote a summative paper on an issue pertaining to substance abuse among adolescents. Results. The middle school and high school students were interested in, appreciated, and learned from the presentations. All participating schools (“community partners”) indicated their interest in hosting the presentation again. PharmD students communicated their enthusiasm for the project and recognized the civic con...