Review : Substance use: whose problem is it?

Abstract

■ Research evidence demonstrates that more young people in the UK are using illegal substances. ■ Every child health professional has a central role to play in the area of substance use. ■ The HAS Report (1996) advocates a 4 tiered approach identifying primary health care staff to providing services for adolescents who use substances. ■ Assessment of a young person's health needs is crucial ■ Nurses are ideally placed to have an impact of health issues affecting young people and substance use cannot be ignored or treated separately. ■ Child health professionals are ideally placed to provide meaningful education and information to young people at risk.