HLTH 23

About this course

This course explores the world-wide crisis and challenge of substance abuse, including its historical effects on various societies and cultures. In addition to examining this from a social perspective, students receive an overview of the epidemiology and toxicology of substance abuse and its relevance to personal and public health. Students are introduced to the concept of substance abuse and dependence, the definition of licit and illicit drugs, and the pharmacologic, neurologic, and physiologic effects of selected substances on the human brain. Political, social, and economic factors involved in the supply and demand for drugs are discussed. Epidemiologic data on the prevalence, incidence, and trends of smoking, alcohol, and prescription and other drug dependencies globally are covered, as well as risk factors associated with the use and abuse of these substances. Current options for recovery are reviewed.

No section is scheduled at Foothill College for Fall 2026. The course can still be offered in a later quarter.

Enrollment availability changes frequently. Confirm status in the official FHDA registration system before enrolling.

Prerequisites

The Foothill catalog lists no prerequisite for this course.

Advisory: “Advisory: One of the following: ENGL C1000 or C1000H or ESLL 26.”

Transfer pathways that use HLTH 23

ASSIST maps HLTH 23 to a requirement in 9 published pathways from Foothill College.

• Leadership StudiesFoothill → Humboldt State
• Bachelor of Science Major in Mathematics with Departmental HonorsFoothill → University of the Pacific
• Agricultural ScienceFoothill → Cal Poly Pomona
• Animal Health ScienceFoothill → Cal Poly Pomona
• Nutrition, B.S. - Nutrition and Health OptionFoothill → Cal Poly Pomona
• Public Health, School Health EducationFoothill → CSU Long Beach
• Recreation TherapyFoothill → CSU Long Beach
• Public Health, Community Health EducationFoothill → CSU Long Beach
• Kinesiology, Sport Psychology and LeadershipFoothill → CSU Long Beach