In this section

• Getting the consent of the young person
• Involving parents and carers
• Not Involving Parents or carers
• Substance Misuse Screening and Confidentiality
• Substance Misuse Screening and Child
  Protection concerns
• Substance Misuse Screening and Common Assessment

Involving parents and carers

• All children and young people should be encouraged, wherever possible, to discuss their substance use with their parents and carers. Evidence suggests that being able to discuss issues of substance use openly with their parents is a protective factor for later substance misuse.
• Where there is serious substance misuse, and particularly if the young person lives with parents, outcomes are considerably improved where the parents can be constructively involved in any support and treatment plan.
• Substance misusing young people can create many tensions and difficulties for their families. Parents, carers and siblings may need support in their own right.