Purpose of the learning package
Youth workers play a key role to address alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues with young people because they:
- are likely to have the opportunity to intervene
- have a client base with a high rate of alcohol and other drug problems
- can make a difference to many clients.
The NSW Alcohol Summit and the Training Needs Review Report are just two of the many research projects, inquiries and forums that have highlighted the valuable role that youth workers play in addressing AOD issues with young people.
YAPA has produced this package with funding from the NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. The aim of the project is to improve service delivery for young people by increasing the knowledge, skills and organisational capacity of youth workers and youth services on alcohol and other drug issues.
How to use this package
This is a self paced learning package. You can work through the package at your own pace, and schedule in times that work best with your other work commitments.
We recommend that you put time aside at least every week to work through the exercises. Your learning is as important as any other work appointment so make a clear time and stick to it! Make sure that the time you set aside is as uninterrupted as possible. This may mean you close your door and do not answer the phone or email during your study time.
We recommend that you work through the package with an experienced person guiding you, such as your supervisor, a mentor or a local AOD worker. This should make a big difference to your learning.
Answering the questions
You do not 'submit' your answers to YAPA for marking. The process of answering the questions is just for you (and whoever is supporting you as you work through the package).
There are 2 ways to answer the questions:
- You can print out the page and then write your answer on the paper.
- You type your answers on screen and then print out the page with your answers. (Note: Some browsers may not print all of a long answer).
Most questions do not have correct answers provided, usually because there is no single correct answer. Despite this, you might find some questions difficult to answer.
We recommend talking through the questions and answers, and any concerns you have, with whoever is supporting you.
How to navigate your way through the package
On each page in the left hand blue column you will see:
- contents list
- about the package
- quick feedback
- previous page
- next page
These links to the previous page and the next page let you easily find your way through the pages in order.
A few pages are actually outside of the package - elsewhere on YAPA's website. These pages do not use the "previous page" and "next page" linking system - you can only move on from them by going back to the Contents list.
There are also some PDF and Word files which do not use the "previous page" and "next page" system - they are linked from the Contents list and sometimes also from within the text of a related page.
Quick feedback
Tell us what you think of the package, or just 1 section, with our Quick feedback.
About YAPA
The Youth Action & Policy Association is the peak community group working in the interests of young people and youth services in NSW. YAPA strives to achieve social justice for young people, including the appropriate provision of services for young people.
The role of YAPA is to:
- Monitor and respond to government policies and proposals affecting young people
- Promote and advocate on issues affecting young people and youth services
- Bring young people and youth workers together to act on issues affecting them
- Work to raise a positive profile of young people in the media and in the community
- Provide training, forums and conferences to young people and youth workers
- Provide information and referral
- Produce a range of resources, publications and newsletters.
contents list / about the package / quick feedback / previous page / next page
Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
