Screening for alcohol and substance misuse
Although many young people will try drugs at some time, most do not progress beyond experimentation. However, research indicates that many factors can increase the risk of a young person moving from 'drug use' to 'drug misuse', whilst some protective factors can reduce these risks.
Unless you are a specialist drug worker it can be difficult to distinguish between use and misuse, and to accurately assess these risk factors.
Drug Use Screening Tool (DUST) for use with young people
The form-based Drug Use Screening Tool (DUST) tool should help distinguish between use and misuse.
To complete this form you do not need a comprehensive knowledge of drugs but you may need to know how to contact your nearest drugs service for young people. This service will be able to provide appropriate information, leaflets, and guidance.
DUST is designed for use with young people about whom there may be concerns regarding drug / alcohol use.
- it will not provide a comprehensive substance use assessment
- it will indicate when specialist advice should be sought
- it will help identify risk factors.
Adult alcohol screening test
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was developed by the World Health Organisation as a simple method for screening for excessive drinking and to assist in brief assessment. It helps to work out how much people are drinking and what the effects might be. To use the tool:
- talk through questions particularly what a ‘standard drink’ means
- circle one answer
- add up the score.
Use the simple structured advice sheet to talk through the impact and make a plan if necessary. It is recommended that you are trained in the use of the tool.
Impact of parent and carer substance misuse on children and young people
Although there are some parents who are able to care for and safeguard their children despite their substance misuse, parental substance dependence can cause significant harm to children at all stages of development. An assessment is required to determine the extent of need, and level of risk of harm, for each child in the family.
When parents struggle with substance abuse it can impact their ability to care for their children properly. For instance, parents who drink heavily or misuse drugs may become less attentive to their child’s needs, focusing instead on their substance use and their own needs above those of their children. As a result, children are more likely to experience, or face a serious risk of, significant harm through emotional abuse and neglect. The children may also be at greater risk of physical or sexual abuse.
Referrals
It is important that arrangements are in place to enable referrals to children’s social care services and substance misuse (including alcohol) services, in relevant cases. Where children may be suffering significant harm because of their own substance misuse, or where parental substance misuse may be causing such harm, referrals need to be made to community drug and alcohol teams or alcohol services, in accordance with East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures.
Where parental substance and/or alcohol misuse may be causing a child or young person significant harm, referrals need to be made by local partnership teams, or alcohol services, in accordance with local safeguarding children partnership (LSCP) procedures. Even where children or young people are not suffering significant harm, parents may find it useful to have additional support. Referral arrangements need to be in place to enable the broader needs of the children and young people to be assessed and responded to.
For those children or young people who are suffering significant harm, or who are at risk of suffering significant harm, joint working is essential to safeguard and promote their welfare. All agencies and professionals should:
be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect be alert to the risks that individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to children share and help analyse information so that an assessment can be made of the child’s needs and circumstances contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare take part in regularly reviewing the outcomes for the child against specific plans work cooperatively with parents, unless this is inconsistent with ensuring the child’s safety be alert to the degree of intoxication, withdrawal, or drug and alcohol seeking behaviour which may pose a risk to children and young people.
Where children are not suffering significant harm, referral arrangements also need to be in place to enable children’s broader needs to be assessed and responded to.
Further information
Local training
East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP) offers a blended learning approach to the impact of parental substance misuse, mental health issues, and domestic abuse on children and young people. Details of eLearning and development sessions can be found in the training section.
