6.9 Drugs and Alcohol
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Last Modified:
08-Aug-2023
Review Date:
01-Jun-2019
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| Purpose |
- To minimise and manage the impact of drugs and alcohol on the day to day wellbeing of children.
- To identify procedures for safely responding to alcohol and drug misuse in residential care.
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| Practice Requirements |
A child being placed in a residential home must be accompanied by a responsible person. The responsible person must assess whether the child is drug or alcohol affected and whether he or she requires medical attention. If a child returns to the home and residential care workers reasonably suspect they have a substance with them that could endanger their health and safety, residential care workers should consider use of search and seizure powers under Division 8 of the Act, or contact emergency services (such as ambulance or WA Police) for advice or assistance where appropriate. Harmful substances include (but are not limited to): alcohol and drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, prescription and over the counter medication, vaping liquid and products, synthetic cannabis, volatile substances (solvents, aerosols, gases, nitrites). Residential care workers must not provide drugs or alcohol to a child or facilitate access to drugs or alcohol. Vapes (e-cigarettes) and their use are associated with harm to the health and safety of children and young people It is illegal to purchase or supply to people under 18 years of age within WA. The devices themselves pose safety risks and have been associated with explosions, fire and injuries including burns. Residential care workers must take practical steps to prevent ongoing access to the supply or source of the drugs or alcohol (including vapes) and report concerns to the case manager and police where appropriate. These actions should be recorded in the Log Book, and case notes. Residential care workers must monitor the situation to reduce the likelihood of substance misuse in the future.
Alcohol and Drug Support Service – 24 Hour Alcohol and Drug Support Lines: - Metropolitan Area 9442 5000
- Country Regions 1800 198 024
- Email: alcoholdrugsupport@mhc.wa.gov.au
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Procedures- Overview
- Out of hours placements
- A child who is drug or alcohol affected.
OverviewResidential care workers must develop a Individual Crisis Support Plan for the child to prevent harm and minimise the potential for harm.
All residential care workers are responsible for the implementation of the Individual Crisis Support Plan.
Out of hours placementsIf a child is suspected of being drugs or alcohol affected, an assessment must be made on the suitability of the placement before the child is placed. If the child’s health deteriorates after placement, residential care workers must provide appropriate assistance and additional monitoring, or arrange for medical attention if required. Refer to 5.4 - Medical Emergency. A child who is drug or alcohol affected.When a resident child returns to the home and is assessed as being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a volatile substance, residential care workers must determine the appropriate response for that child. If a child returns to the home after consuming alcohol, drugs or other substances, but is not assessed as requiring professional medical attention and it is safe for him or her to remain in the home, the child must be closely supervised and monitored as he or she recovers in the safety of the home. Residential care workers must record the child’s presentation in the Log Book and case notes, and record the frequency of the checks. If the child expresses an intention to, or engages in behaviour to intentionally harm themselves, please refer to 4.5 - Responding to Suicide and non-Suicidal Self Injury. If the child has a psychotic episode as a result of their use of alcohol, drugs or volatile substances the protocols for responding to mental health concerns must be followed. Refer to 4.6 - Responding to Psychiatric Concerns. If a young person is engaging in AOD use, Residential Care Workers must provide support and education to assist the young person in safety planning and where possible, help them develop safer alternative coping strategies. These discussions should be recorded in case notes and the Individual Crisis Support plan reviewed. Further assessment and relevant referrals may be required to support the young person and be part of the young person's residential care plan.
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