Overview
See instructions and grading rubric for more information.
This culminating assignment invites you to synthesize course concepts by exploring the lived experience of drug addiction through an in-depth interview. There are two ways to approach this assignment: 1) Face-to-face interview with a recovering drug addict, or 2) interview with an AI-bot assigned the identity of a recovering drug addict. It is recommended, however, that you chose option 1 (although option 2 is allowable).
Specific Instructions for Option 1—The Interview Option:
- This Capstone Interview and Report must be completed based on the following criteria:
- Structured in paragraph form (headings should not be used).
- At least 3-4 full pages double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font.
- At least 2 credible scholarly sources (e.g. journal articles, government agency reports, etc.).The course textbook may not be used as a source.
- Cite your sources in APA format.All sources cited must have been published within the last five years.
- When interviewing a recovering drug addict, it is recommended that you will do so face-to-face, but if you need the face-to-face to be mediated by technology you may use Microsoft TEAMS which is accessible by students.
- If you choose a real person, conduct the interview respectfully and privately, ensure they are comfortable sharing their story, and understand the purpose of the assignment.
- Prior to your interview, develop 5–7 thoughtful, open-ended questions that explore:
- The individual’s background and history with drug use
- Factors that led to their substance use
- The impact of addiction on their life and relationships
- Their experiences with treatment or recovery (if applicable)
- After conducting the interview, summarize the interview in a narrative format.
- Your submission should be segmented into four distinct sections:
- Biographical Context (~150 words)
- Drugs in Society (250-300 words)
- Analytical Reflections (~200 words)
- Appraisal and Biblical Worldview (~250 words)
The first page of your paper should briefly introduce your subject.Based on your interview, reflect on what you learned and how it connects to course themes (e.g., stigma, policy, treatment, social determinants). How does the information learned from the interview connect to topics discussed in class (e.g., stigma, harm reduction, racial disparities, drug policy)?
Based on all that they’ve shared, what do you surmise to be a potential strategy for thinking about prevention, treatment, and recovery. Here, you must ground your culminating reflections in data and research. Based on your critical thinking and assessment of the potential for strategically addressing the challenges of drug use and addition—how have others pursued similar approaches and with what types of success? To answer these questions, you must demonstrate the research you’ve conducted to show how others have sought to obviate drug addiction and encourage prevention and recovery.
The final section should appraise what was written in light of a biblical worldview. To accomplish this, students should synthesize the content of the interview and the experience of the individual with a biblical worldview. This requires more than proof-texting passages. Synthesize your reflection of the interviewee’s experience with your understanding of a biblical worldview, and your proposed means for addressing (preventing, treatment, and recovery) drug addiction in your community. How can/should a biblical worldview find integration into your proposal for engaging your community against drug addiction?