|
|
||
|
Abstracts |
||
|
IMPROVING SERVICE PROVISION BY NON-SPECIALIST ADVISORS: THE IMPACT OF DRUG AWARENESS TRAINING ON PERCEIVED LEVELS OF ROLE LEGITIMACY, ADEQUACY AND SATISFACTION Iain McPhee, Tim Duffy, Colin Martin, University of the West of Scotland, United Kingdom Drug use for other than
medical reasons, whether of legal or illicit substances, is highly
stigmatised (McPhee, Duffy, & Martin, 2009). Some drug users
experience a range of health and social problems that impact on both
their own lives and those of many others (Scottish Government,
2008). There is evidence to suggest that staff providing care for
drug users may not possess the necessary knowledge, attitudes, or
skills to enable them to work effectively with this client group
(Siegfried, N., Ferguson, J., Cleary, M., Walter, G., & Rey, J.M.,
1999; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2002). Attitudes have long
been considered to be predictors of behaviour (La Piere,1934;
Ajzen,1991; Eagley &Chaiken, 1993). This study reports on the
evaluation of the impact of a three-day alcohol and drug awareness
training programme, which was provided for 38 personal advisors (PAs)
for young vulnerable people based in a government funded criminal
justice project in London. A comparison of pre- and post- programme
questionnaires showed that participants significantly improved their
attitudes to working with, and having confidence in the engagement
of,young people with drug problems. Positive changes were also
observed in relation to participants’ role legitimacy, role
adequacy, and role support. A positive but non-significant change in
participant motivation was identified. |
||
