In this section

• Substance Misuse Screening and Referral Pathway
• How to refer
• What to include in the referral
• What if the young person refuses to see a substance misuse worker?
• Referral outcomes

	Myth I cannot work with drug users. Reality You probably already are. You have a range of existing skill in talking to, motivating, assessing and helping young people that are just as relevant when working with drug using young people.

What if the young person refuses to see a substance misuse worker?

There is little to be gained from referring a young person for specialist help when they are unlikely to engage with the process. However, where a need has been identified you should make every effort to maintain contact with the young person and seek a more creative way of delivering the support that is required. If through the screening process you have identified the need for a specialist assessment but the young person refuses this you might consider the following:

• You can contact SHED for advice from a substance misuse worker without giving the young person's name. They will be able to advise you of any harm reduction interventions you could undertake.
• Stay in contact with the young person, continue to monitor the
  situation and raise the issue at a later date.
• Suggest going with the young person to a first appointment, or arrange for a substance misuse worker to come to an appointment at a venue the young person is more comfortable with.
• If you have identified serious risk issues it may be necessary to follow child protection procedures or call a multi agency meeting without the direct consent of the young person.
• Try to understand why the young person is refusing: they may hold misconceptions about the service that you can dispel (for example about confidentiality, being labelled as an 'addict', or being told what to do by a doctor).