A Tool to Identify the Drug / Alcohol Needs of Young People Aged 19 and Under

Please note: This is a surrey wide service only.

PART 1: HOW TO USE THIS TOOL

Not all young people who use drugs, alcohol or solvents will require support from drug and alcohol services. On many occasions low level drug/alcohol use can be addressed by non specialist services, particularly in instances where there is already an open and trusting relationship developed between the worker and the young person, or where parents are confident and able to talk to their child, son or daughter. In these instances information, guidance and further support from parents and professionals who are confident in discussing the issues can help young people to make healthier choices. However there will be situations where young people's drug/alcohol use is of concern and where a referral to a specialist service, such as 24/7 is required. This tool gives some useful questions to ask about drug/alcohol use to try and find the relevant information, and what to do when you have received the information required. The below questions will be scored and when you click on submit will give you advice and options on what to do next. If at any point you have concerns or need to speak to someone, please call 24/7 on 01372 832 888 or for parents and young people call 0800 622 6662.

PART 2: USEFUL QUESTIONS

Drug/alcohol use can be a sensitive subject for young people to talk about with professionals and indeed parents. For professionals, where possible it may be important to establish a level of trust before the subject can be broached. For parents this may be a difficult area to talk about, however remember to not accuse, judge and be prepared to listen and find out more. The following questions may be helpful when talking about drugs/alcohol and identifying concerns:

For professionals:

Has anyone ever talked to you about drugs/alcohol?
Did you understand what they told you?
Have you ever used drugs/alcohol? If so what? How often?
Is there anything else you would like to know?
Do you have any concerns for yourself, friends or family?

For parents:

Is everything ok?
I am worried about you, do you need to talk about anything?
I am worried that you are using drugs or alcohol, you can talk to me about it, if not would you like to talk to someone else?

PART 3: IDENTIFYING DRUG/ALCOHOL RELATED NEEDS

This section provides a way of organising information about young people's drug/alcohol use and the scoring system will help to identify concerns. Please check the relevant boxes below and click ‘submit’ when you do this you will be given further advice about what to do next.

Frequency of substance use *

Occasional drug/alcohol use (fortnightly / Monthly)
Regular drug/alcohol use (weekly use)
Daily drug/alcohol use OR heavy bingeing

Injecting

Not injecting
Currently Injecting

Drugs used- If the drug is unidentifiable contact a substance misuse service for advice.

Cannabis
Ecstasy
Amphetamine
LSD
GHB
Alcohol
Ketamin

Heroin
Methadone or other opiates
Crack Cocaine
Cocaine powder
Solvents (Glue/Gas /aerosol)
A combination of any of the above drugs (including alcohol)

Intoxication

Loss of consciousness
Memory loss
Aggression
Hospitalisation associated with substance use

Circumstances - the following are likely to contribute to the young person's substance misuse increasing

Not attending school
Mental health problems
History of trauma, bereavement or loss
Involved in criminal activity
Homelessness / unstable accommodation
Pregnant
Difficult relationship with parents and/or an experience of living in care
Partner / close friends / family members who use drugs/alcohol

* required information