Combating substance misuse: competences and preparation of special education department students

BACKGROUND: This study examines Jordanian special education department students’ competences and preparation relating to combating substance misuse (SM). METHOD: Thematic analysis was performed on data from interviews with 150 students. RESULTS: Some participants denied the possibility of addiction among students with disabilities, and presented negative attitudes toward their role in combating SM. In general, the participants displayed low levels of professionalism relating to combating SM, and the results revealed that they felt that their preparation programme had been inadequate and they desired more courses that related to combating SM. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Jordanian Universities should emphasise the role of teachers in a preventive approach to SM.