Callers contact YoDAAS Info, Advice and Referral line asking for help. We have put together some of this months hottest topics, frequently asked questions and the resources that we send out to support callers to 'get to the next step.'
Hot Topic #1 Home Drug Tests
With Home Urine Drug Screens (UDS) now available in pharmacies, YoDAA has received an unprecedented number of inquiries from family members, considering drug screening young person they are worried about.
But are drug tests everything they are cracked up to be? And what advice can youth AOD workers offer to family members considering home testing? YoDAA has developed two fact sheets for families. Check out Drug Tests How & Why and Should I Drug Test a Young Person?
Hot Topic #2 School Drug Talks
Being asked to speak to a class of students about drugs is a fun afternoon outside the office for some AOD workers and a nightmare for others. Daily YoDAA helps upskill both youth workers and Teachers to avoid the awkward and deliver effective (and evidenced based) Drug Ed.
Get YoDAAs top tips for what works in Drug Ed and keep a link to YoDAA for Schools & Should a Youth AOD worker talk to my class? handy for when the local year 9 teacher calls.
Hot Topic #3 Why won’t they just change!?
YoDAA often gets calls from family members who have been told that a young person has to 'hit rock bottom' or 'want to change' before they can act. The message at YoDAA is that regardless of a young persons stage of change, a family can be working on creating an environment that is supportive. We have received great feedback from people who have read this article and this brilliant PDF about Matching Approaches to Stages of Change.
Hot Topic #4 Busted, but doesn’t know it
‘…So we hacked his Facebook / searched his room / checked his phone messages and found a bong / digital scales / a worrying message – what on earth do we do now!?’ YoDAA is privy to many an undercover drug bust, usually undertaken by a concerned family member or school. Developing a plan for effectively (and calmly) communicating concerns about drug use (and whether or not to be truthful about sneaking around) is the topic of many a YoDAA phone call. Check out communicating your concerns about drug use, effective communication and How to raise the topic of suspected drug use (for schools).
What are the hot topics in your practice? We'd love to hear from you advice@yodaa.org.au.
