Working With Young People Who Use Drugs and Alcohol

This training focuses on the functions of Youth AOD use and explores the underlying needs that are being met by AOD use in young people.

While it is valuable and important to understand the primary risks to our young people’s health and wellbeing, we also want to know what is positive in their experience. Does using make them feel more confident? Calmer? Do they feel that they can manage their emotions and mental health better? Understanding the varying reasons why young people choose to use, allows us to understand what alternatives could be explored in place of substance use.

We will also be covering developing safety plans with young people and how to have these conversations with young people.

• Understanding of the principles of Youth AOD use
• Understanding the Functions of Youth AOD use
• Understanding the fundamentals of harm minimisation
• Gaining skills in how to have useful conversations with young people about AOD
• Grasp of basic AOD information including substance info, drug categories, withdrawal, dependence, and treatment options.