Identifying Substance related needs - Screening Tool

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It is important to keep this process simple and by asking a young person open questions it is possible to provide enough information for the worker to be able to identify substance related needs.

This should not be so daunting an exercise that a young person would be wary of being honest and asking for support or information in relation to drugs, alcohol or solvents. The process should be holistic in approach and young person centred involving the young person in the process and agreement of outcomes as far as possible

The screening tool will elicit information on the substance used, the amount used, frequency, how the substance is used and any dangers associated with use.

There are a number of situations when professionals in Tier 1 and 2 services should screen for substance related needs.

• When a drug or alcohol related incident occurs
• When young people vulnerable to substance misuse comes into contact with your service.
• Following actual or suspicion of drug, alcohol or
• Solvent taking
• When a young person requests advice or information for self or others on drugs and alcohol

It would be useful to record numbers of young people who have received screening and a brief intervention and outcomes as this will help develop future service planning and to monitor national government drugs strategy targets.

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