Students at Cork Prison graduate from substance misuse and addiction studies course

STUDENTS from Cork Prison have successfully graduated from a module aimed at addressing issues relating to substance abuse and addition.

Developed by University College Cork (UCC), the HSE Addiction Services and James Leonard of ‘Two Norries’ podcast fame, the module module on Substance Misuse and Addiction Studies was run in collaboration with teaching staff in Cork ETB’s Education Unit.

The university accredited module, one of the first of its kind within the Irish prison system, teaches basic knowledge about the most commonly misused substances and provides clarity on the distinction between substance use, misuse and dependence.

Aimed at breaking the cycle of addiction, the module covers a variety of pertinent topics including drug pharmacology, biological effects, impact of substance abuse on mood, behavior and cognition and societal effects.

It places a key emphasis on safe usage and community response to substance abuse issues, including alcohol.

Dr Seamus O’Toole of Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC, which delivers the module said it emphasised how life long learning is about people having opportunities to learn “no matter where they are or what they are doing.” 

“By working as a team with the education service at Cork prison and through the efforts of the students here in the prison, we have been able to create a lifelong learning gem that genuinely crosses boundaries and creates positive opportunities for the learners,” he added.

The director general of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey, expressed similar sentiments saying the module was “a tremendous opportunity for both Cork Prison and the guys here today who are graduating.” “Addictions are sadly a common cause for people to end up in custody and this collaboration will allow these prisoners to not only better understand their own addiction but allow give them the knowledge and tools to share with their peers,” said Ms McCaffrey.