You will encounter a wide range of clients in AOD settings.It will be important to develop an understanding of how to best communicate with people of different ages and ethnic groups, and of how histories of trauma and different types of migration impact people. You will also need to learn how to identify at-risk clients and become familiar with different types of drugs and patterns of drug use.

By the end of this topic you will understand:

When working in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support, it is important to understand both the legislation around AOD and your legal responsibilities in supporting children and young people, including mandatory reporting. The skill of conducting assessments is something you will continue to develop and includes becoming familiar with assessment tools, knowing when to refer clients and the requirements.

By the end of this chapter you will understand: