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

	Myth If a young person uses drugs they should be sent to a rehabilitation centre. Reality Most young people (and adults) with substance misuse problems are successfully treated by community teams whilst living at home. Residential placements are used very rarely. You cannot lock a young person in a detox centre against their will unless in very extreme cases.

Not Involving Parents or carers

Some young people will not want their parents made aware of their substance use, and there may be good reason for this. The following guidance therefore applies:

• You do not need the consent of a parent or carer to screen a young person for substance misuse.
• You do not need the consent of a parent or carer to give simple educational information about the effects and risks of substance use to young people.
• You do not need the consent of a parent or carer to refer a young person for assessment by the specialist young people's substance misuse service.
• The age of the young person is important - even for educational interventions it will be more likely to involve parents if you are dealing with a 12 year old than a 16 year old.
• Try to find out why the young person does not want to tell
  their parents, especially if there are concerns of an extreme reaction by parents that might impact on the young person (i.e. being thrown out of home).