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DRINK & DRUGS NEWS :: Q&AThis section covers questions from practitioners about an issue relating to their work, and responses from their colleagues in the field. To view/contribute to a particular Q&A thread click on the relevant link under on-going threads below. Each new Q&A thread is opened in Drink & Drugs News magazine, and is then published here, where it remains open to further contributions. The question being covered in the next issue is:To suggest a subject for a future Q&A thread, email Claire Brown - Drink & Drugs News editor - claire@cjwellings.com Ongoing Q&A threads:I enjoy my role as a drugs worker and feel that I am working
well with my clients, but recently I have been feeling very over-supervised.
My manager has started to sit in on my client meetings and interrupts
to the point where I'm feeling thoroughly undermined. I feel I'm
being picked on. How can I tackle this calmly and constructively?
(Rob, by email) A drug and alcohol worker in my team has come to me wanting
support because she has just relapsed after several years. She is
a valued member of staff and we want to help her over this episode
and keep her in her post. Can anyone suggest practical support we
can give her? (Lizzie, by email) My son is a university graduate, who's doing well at work. He
drinks now and again, and is a non smoker who exercises regularly.
He has admitted to me that sometimes on a night out he takes cocaine
and other drugs. He doesn't see this as a problem and tells me that
it is just part and parcel of modern Britain. Should I be concerned?
(Marian, Merseyside) I'm on a degree course, studying to become a counsellor and
one of my friends, who I'm living with, is binge drinking to excess.
When I try to speak to her about it she laughs and says she can
handle it, but I can see it's starting to affect her life dramatically.
She doesn't seem to think it's a problem - how can I convince her
that it is? (Charlie, Manchester) I used to have a drug problem, but since getting clean have
enjoyed my job as a drugs worker. A few months ago I relapsed for
the first time. I took leave from work and booked myself into treatment,
determined to sort myself out. My problem is that my counsellor
at rehab is threatening to tell my employer about my relapse, saying
that she has a duty to protect my future clients. I am horrified,
as I thought my confidentiality was protected when I went into treatment.
Please can anyone advise me on my position? (Amy, by email) I work as a Methodist Minister in post-industrial areas of South
Yorkshire/North Nottinghamshire, where there are many people coping
with drug issues. I am looking for a course that will begin to equip
me to help such people in a practical way. Can anyone point me in
the right direction? (E Mackey, by email) How do people without 'formal' drugs work experience gain a
chance of being employed in substance misuse services, despite having
ten years personal experience with a user who is a close family
member and having a Level Two NCFE Certificate in Drug Awareness
Studies? (Maria, by email) I am currently employed by a large charity as a counsellor
and am looking to move jobs. I am considering moving to a private
treatment provider and would like to hear if any readers who have
experience of working for the private sector, as well as charity
or statutory sectors, have noticed a significant difference in attitudes
and working practices - or is delivering care the same whoever is
providing it? (Bryan, via email) Someone I know has been included on the shortlist for a job at
my agency. We have a strict 'clean' policy here, but I know this
person socially, and he is well-known for his drug-taking. Should
I advise my manager of the situation, or keep my nose out? (Rose,
Birmingham) I run a house for four people recovering from Drug and Alcohol
problems. They all attend treatment during the day and I offer support
in the evenings. I would like to offer more help and in time work
on the treatment side. The Organisation I work for have offered
to put me through training. Could anyone advise me on the best route
or suggest appropriate counselling courses to get me started? Thank
you. (Chris Gibbons, by email) There's a group of kids on my estate who I'm convinced are trying
to deal drugs to my son. Who should I go to for help? They're very
intimidating and I'm frightened of the repercussions, but more than
anything I'm worried for my son. (Kathy, by email)
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