Systemic Barriers to the Employment of Social Workers in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Agencies

Abstract

Literature suggests a low number of social workers employed in the field of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. This study shows that social workers with undergraduate degrees (BSWs) have higher rates of employment in AOD than bachelor's degree holders from other disciplines. Master's level social workers (MSWs), however, have a much lower involvement than their counterparts with counseling degrees. Six factors are inferred to partially explain MSWs' low involvement in the field: (1) low education requirements; (2) low pay; (3) absence of “social worker” positions; (4) competition among different disciplines; (5) lack of MSW interns; and (6) state certification requirement. Suggestions to increase the employment of social workers in the AOD field are offered.     

Parental substance misuse and compliance as factors determining child removal: A sample from the Victorian Children's Court in Australia

Purpose

The current study explores the role of parental substance misuse in child protection cases and examines its impact as a factor in decisions on child removal in court orders.

Methods

A cohort of 273 child protection cases from the Victorian Children's Court was reviewed. This sample consisted of cases where children have been removed (Custody to Secretary Order, n = 142 cases) or remained with parents (Supervision Order, n = 131 cases). Data was extracted on parental substance misuse in single and two parent households as well as compliance with court-based and child protection directives.

Principle results

Parental substance misuse (PSM) was present in 51% of child protection cases sampled and among those, poly-substance abuse was common (67%). PSM was associated with Indigenous status; younger age of child at court appearance; having a court-proven case of emotional abuse, less compliance with child protection services and a longer time between notification to authorities and final court decision. In one parent households, only parental compliance is the primary factor underlying decisions of child removal. In two parent households, the decision to remove a child from the family home was ultimately driven by parental compliance, and to a lesser extent by PSM of illicit drugs and the number of parents misusing drugs.

Conclusion

PSM and non-compliance appear to be significant factors in delaying stability for the child through the granting of court orders which may involve child removal. There is a need, by child protection professionals, for prompt recognition of PSM and associated compliance/engagement issues in order to refer appropriate cases for further assessment and treatment in specialist drug treatment services. Early involvement with specialist drug treatment services provides the Court with an indication of compliance which is an important factor for making decisions that assist with achieving stability for the child.     

US Social Work Students' Attitudes Shift Favorably Towards a Harm Reduction Approach to Alcohol and Other Drugs Practice: The Effectiveness of Consequence Analysis

Given the increasing numbers of people in need of treatment for problems associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) problems and the concomitant likelihood that social worker caseloads currently reflect this increase, a critical analysis of social work student attitudes towards different approaches to AOD treatment is warranted. Our study examined United States' social work students' (n = 100) attitudes towards treatment approaches to practice with people who misuse/abuse AOD and enlisted a Consequence Analysis (CA) intervention designed to shift attitudes towards considering a harm reduction approach. The Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale (HRAS), as well as a two-item response measure, measured pretest and posttest attitudes. Findings demonstrate that at pretest both intervention and comparison groups were willing to consider a goal of moderation (a proxy for the acceptability of a harm reduction approach and a client-centered perspective), and neutral on the effectiveness of an abstinence-oriented approach. At posttest, the intervention group became more flexible and open to the broader philosophical perspective of a harm reduction approach while the comparison group became less so. Consequence Analysis appears responsible for producing the observed changes in attitude towards harm reduction. Implications for international social work education and training are discussed.     

Substance Abuse in Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual,and Transgender Communities

Abstract

This article calls attention to the lack of knowledge concerning alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. Twenty-five Internet Web sites related to the LGBT substance use are reviewed.     

Child Welfare and Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AOD): Bridging the Gap to Comprehensive Services

ABSTRACT

Chemical addiction is a significant factor in child abuse and neglect (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1999). Although research has indicated that an alliance between the child welfare and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment fields is the best way to effectively address chemical addiction within families, collaboration has not generally been established. The lack of collaborative relationships between the child welfare and AOD fields can be attributed to a number of different factors. Similarities in proposed interventions for collaborative efforts between AOD treatment and child welfare agencies can be found throughout the literature. The establishment of a truly collaborative partnership between AOD treatment and the child welfare system is a necessary step towards achievement of functional and healthy families, a goal common to both disciplines.     

Women,trauma and substance abuse: Understanding the experiences of female survivors of childhood abuse in alcohol and drug treatment

Despite the available evidence suggesting gender should be considered in the provision of alcohol and/or drug (AOD) treatment, programmes are frequently offered in an apparent ‘gender vacuum’. This article argues that the generalist ‘one size fits all’ approach of many AOD services is not gender neutral but should be understood as implicitly gendered in that it neglects the specificity of women's needs in relation to abuse, mental illness and parenting. The discussion presented in this article is based on a qualitative study of the experiences of adult women with histories of childhood sexual abuse and/or domestic violence in AOD treatment. By examining the ways in which AOD treatments effectively ignore or minimise gender, this article uncovers intervention practices that efface the complexities underpinning AOD use among women and suggests ways in which alternative models of service delivery can create more validating and supportive environments. Key Practitioner Message: ● Some of the common assumptions underpinning alcohol and drug treatment do not adequately acknowledge the specific needs of female clients and so gender‐neutral service provision can be disenabling for women; ● Punitive service cultures or behaviour change strategies have a differential impact on female clients, many of whom have prior and ongoing experiences of abuse and violence; ● Service models that acknowledge the complex responsibilities and relational histories of female clients are more likely to engender a positive response and provide the opportunity to address the multiple and complex needs that can go unmet in non‐specialist services.     

Substance Abuse Among Puerto Rican and Dominican Gang Members in a Small City Setting

SUMMARY

Joining a gang increases an adolescent's risk for substance abuse. To better understand the contextual development of drug use behavior, this retrospective ethnographic study describes a sample of 76 young small-city mainland Puerto-Rican and Dominican males who joined gangs when they were younger. Data is presented and discussed on the drug abuse behavior including their drug using progression and the context in which such use occurs. The young average age of onset 11.2 (sd = 2.6) combined with the rapid progression to more dangerous drugs, which generally occurs within six years, demonstrates the elevated risk associated with small city gang membership. Differences in the patterns of drug use were also found between the English and Spanish speaking groups. The authors discuss the implications of the study findings on the development of interventions. Recommendations address future research possibilities on drug abuse within Latino gangs.     

Women in Substance Use Treatment

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the differences between women with children in substance use treatment who are involved in Child Protective Services (CPS+) and those who are not involved (CPS-). Using a sample of all alcohol and other drug (AOD) clients (N = 6,023) receiving substance use treatment over a three-year period (1997-99), the study found that CPS+ women were more likely to be younger, have more children, have been arrested less often, be mandated to receive treatment, to have an unsatisfactory exit status or be transferred to another treatment program at discharge. CPS+ women were also more likely to have attended outpatient or day treatment for the AOD treatment. This study points out that there may be specific risk factors in place for a subgroup of women with children in AOD treatment.