Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco in Youth Work Settings:
Guidelines for Youth Workers
Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco in Youth Work Settings: Guidelines for Youth Workers
DEALING WITH DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO IN YOUTH WORK SETTINGS: GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH WORKERS
By Youth Work Ireland Drafted & Edited by Fran Bissett
Published by the Irish YouthWork Press 20 Lower Dominick Street, Dublin 1.
© Youth Work Ireland, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-900416-74-0
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Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco in Youth Work Settings: Guidelines for Youth Workers
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
Acknowledgement...... 5
Preamble and Background...... 6
a) Introduction...... 6 b) Community-Based Drugs Initiatives in the South East...... 6 c) Drug Prevention and Education...... 7
SECTION 1: Guidelines for Youth Workers on Managing Illegal Drug-Related Incidents.... 10
a) Principles of Good Practice...... 10 b) Premises/Services...... 11 c) Searching...... 11 d) Possession and Disposal...... 12 e) Obstruction...... 12 f) Admitting Drug Users on Premises...... 13 g) Sensitivity of Worker Parameters and Local Circumstances...... 13 h) Dealing With Solvent Misuse Incidents...... 14 i) Recording...... 15 j) Drug Incident Template...... 15 k) Emergencies/First Aid...... 16 l) Dealing with Drug & Alcohol Related Incidents on Residentials/ Exchanges/Trips Abroad...... 17 m) Support Structures for Staff and Volunteers...... 17
SECTION 2: Dealing with Alcohol and Smoking Related Situations...... 18
a) Alcohol Use on the Premises...... 18 b) Bringing Alcohol onto the Premises...... 18 c) Young People Under the Influence of Alcohol...... 18 d) Workers and Volunteers Under the Influence of Alcohol...... 19 e) Smoking on the Premises...... 19 f) Alcohol & Smoking Legislation...... 20
SECTION 3: Confidentiality and Dealing with Parents...... 23
a) Introduction...... 23 b) Confidentiality...... 23 c) Dealing With Issues of Confidentiality...... 23 d) Dealing With Parents/Guardians ...... 24 e) Parents/Guardians – What to Do?...... 24
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Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco in Youth Work Settings: Guidelines for Youth Workers
SECTION 4: Drug Related Legislation...... 25
a) Introduction...... 25 b) Criminal Justice Acts 1999, 2006 & 2007...... 25 c) Provision under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 & 1984…………………………28 d) Other Provisions...... 33 e) Irresponsible Prescribing ...... ………. 33 f) Precursors of Illicit Drugs...... 33 g) Penalties and Sentences Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts...... 34 h) Regulations...... 34 i) Other Relevant Legislation...... 35
Bibliography...... 36
Appendices
Appendix 1: National Drugs Strategy & Related Activities...... 37 Appendix 2: Other Government Measures to Combat Drug Problem...... 48 Appendix 3: National Drug Misuse Education & Prevention Programmes...... 54 Appendix 4: Drug Service Agencies by County...... 56 Appendix 5: Education and Information Agencies...... 75 Appendix 6: Drug Education and Training Resources...... 78 Appendix 7: Research and Information Resources...... 84 Appendix 8: Definitions & Effects: Drug by Drug Table...... 88 Appendix 9: Level of Alcohol Use Indicator & Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test...... 93
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Dealing with Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco in Youth Work Settings: Guidelines for Youth Workers
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Youth Work Ireland would like to offer their sincere thanks and appreciation to the following: