In this section

• What is screening?
• Why screen young people for
  substance misuse?
• Screening Vulnerable Groups
• When should you use the screening tool?
• How should screening happen?
• What is screening trying to establish?
• Outcomes of screening

	Myth You can't help a person with a drug problem until they have hit 'rock bottom' and want to change. Reality Simply not true: most people with drug or alcohol problems sort them out long before they become really serious, often after encouragement and support from friends or family or with professional help.

When should you use the screening tool?

Here are some examples of when you should definitely screen a young person for substance misuse:

• If a young person asks you for some advice or information about drugs, alcohol, glues, gases or aerosols.
• If a young person tells you they are using substances, or talks a lot about the subject.
• After a substance misuse related incident occurs, like finding drugs on someone, or someone being intoxicated. Make sure you don't confuse the screening process with the disciplinary action you take in response to any incidents though.
• When you work with any child or young person who fits into any of the above mentioned vulnerable groups, whether or not there are any immediate concerns about substance use. This screening might be done as part of an initial assessment, or it might be better to wait until you have developed more of a trusting relationship with the young person.
• When substance misuse in the child / young person's household has been identified.
• Where your professional judgement leads you to have any other concerns that the young person might be involved in substance use. For example, a parent or a friend might express concerns, or the young person might have friends that you know use drugs or drink a lot.
• Where you are completing a Common Assessment and this raises concerns that the young person might be using substances (see Substance Misuse Screening and Common Assessment, click here).