This qualification will be of great interest to those working or volunteering in a variety of fields who may come into contact with those involved in, or affected by, substance misuse. It is therefore useful to those who need general background knowledge or as a progression route for those who wish to work in a more specialised substance misuse role.
Course aims:
- To provide a nationally recognised qualification in drug awareness at an intermediate level
- To introduce quality control and measurable standards in drug awareness education
- To provide an accessible and flexible learning opportunity for a wide range of individuals.
Objectives:
- Understanding drug use/misuse
- Recognising and responding to drug use/misuse
- Communicating with young people about drugs
- Working with communities
- Understanding solvents and volatile substance abuse
- Showing an awareness of issues concerning alcohol and young people
- Considering blood-borne infections related to drug use/misuse.
Course content:
- The size and scope of drug use/misuse in the UK and elsewhere. Reasons people use drugs. Categorisation of drugs and their effects. The importance of attitudes and values and their effects on behaviour.
- Recognising and responding to drug use/misuse. Laws relating to drug use/misuse in England and Wales. Drug service treatment.
- Effective communication skills when talking to young people about drugs.
- Community involvement with drug use/misuse. Local and national initiatives.
- History of volatile solvent abuse in the UK and the government’s current approach to the issue. The effects of volatile solvent abuse and associated social consequences. Responses to this form of drug use/misuse.
- Issues and concerns related to alcohol abuse. Styles of drinking and their potential effects. Different types and levels of alcohol abuse. Attitudes of young people towards alcohol.
- The extent and effects of blood-borne infections in the UK and elsewhere. Prevention, transmission and the current range of attitudes and values towards blood-borne infections. Social discrimination. The HIV test and its implications.