Young Persons' Drug and Alcohol Use Screening Tool
(DUST)
Young people may try drugs at some time, but most do not
progress beyond experimentation.
Unless you are a specialist drug worker it can be difficult to
distinguish between use and misuse. The DUST form will help you to
accurately assess the risk level of a young person's substance
use.
To complete this form you do not need a comprehensive knowledge
of drugs or how to contact your nearest drugs service for young
people. Local treatment service contacts are detailed on the form.
These services will be able to provide appropriate information,
leaflets and guidance.
- DUST is designed for use with young people about whom there may
be concerns regarding drug/alcohol use.
- It will not provide a comprehensive substance use
assessment.
- It will indicate when specialist advice should be sought.
- It will help identify risk factors.
The DUST form is available in PDF or excel format.
DUST Training
KCA Young Persons' service provides free DUST training to
anyone, or organisation which works with vulnerable young
people.
The training will also give delegates a better understanding of
all illicit substances and alcohol, why young people use, trends
for their area and ways of engaging drug/alcohol using young
people.
DUST training is carried out as a full or half day course with
the following objectives:
- Increase knowledge of the purpose of screening young persons
drug use
- Develop understanding of drug issues affecting young
people
- Ability to use DUST effectively
- Increase knowledge of local services and where to refer young
people with substance issues
- Increase knowledge of drugs, signs and symptoms, risks and the
law and local trends
For more information, or to book training please call KCA YPS on
01227 456744 or email yps@kca.org.uk