Abstracts

 

IMPROVING SERVICE PROVISION BY NON-SPECIALIST ADVISORS: THE IMPACT OF DRUG AWARENESS TRAINING ON PERCEIVED LEVELS OF ROLE LEGITIMACY, ADEQUACY AND SATISFACTION

Iain McPhee, Tim Duffy, Colin Martin, University of the West of Scotland, United Kingdom

Drug use for other than medical reasons, whether of legal or illicit substances, is highly stigmatised (McPhee, Duffy, & Martin, 2009). Some drug users experience a range of health and social problems that impact on both their own lives and those of many others (Scottish Government, 2008). There is evidence to suggest that staff providing care for drug users may not possess the necessary knowledge, attitudes, or skills to enable them to work effectively with this client group (Siegfried, N., Ferguson, J., Cleary, M., Walter, G., & Rey, J.M., 1999; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2002). Attitudes have long been considered to be predictors of behaviour (La Piere,1934; Ajzen,1991; Eagley &Chaiken, 1993). This study reports on the evaluation of the impact of a three-day alcohol and drug awareness training programme, which was provided for 38 personal advisors (PAs) for young vulnerable people based in a government funded criminal justice project in London. A comparison of pre- and post- programme questionnaires showed that participants significantly improved their attitudes to working with, and having confidence in the engagement of,young people with drug problems. Positive changes were also observed in relation to participants’ role legitimacy, role adequacy, and role support. A positive but non-significant change in participant motivation was identified.
 

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