As a youth probation officer, you may be the most significant adult in the lives of the young people you work with (outside of family members). As such, you have a unique opportunity to build caring relationships with them. Studies show that caring adults can have a powerful influence in teaching positive social values and supporting young people in changing their behaviours, including behaviours related to using alcohol and other drugs.
What if I don’t know much about alcohol and other drugs?
Some youth probation officers have a background in drug counselling. But most don’t have formal training in the field. Many feel uncomfortable about addressing substance-related issues because they feel they don’t know enough about the range of drugs available to youth, their effects, or even the best ways to help young people make better decisions about their drug use. But the truth is that you don’t need to be a drug expert to help youth with drug-related problems.
Most youth who experience substance-related difficulties don’t require specialized treatment. Their use of alcohol and other drugs is often linked to a range of difficulties related to home, school and community, difficulties that you’re most likely familiar with.
While these issues can be extremely complex and may vary in severity, one of the most important factors contributing to resilience among youth is a strong connection to an adult in the community. Indeed, evidence shows that simply having a relationship with an adult is more important than who the adult is.
With the right supports, you may be the ideal position to help a young person change their substance use behaviours. You’re already a positive role model and mentor. And your ability to relate to young people, coupled with your interviewing and negotiation skills, are valuable assets in addressing youth drug use issues.
Doesn’t this kind of connection conflict with my main role as a probation officer?
The corrections field — and community corrections, in particular — has long experienced tensions between its two main missions: protecting public safety and rehabilitating offenders. In recent years, research has begun to demonstrate that these are not in fact incompatible. What’s more, as a part of the National Anti-Drug Strategy, the Canadian government has made a commitment to assist young people at risk of drug involvement and enhance services to young offenders with substance use problems.
In the past, substance use interventions were primarily the domain of mental health professionals. But evidence suggests that frontline staff, such as probation and parole officers, also have the opportunity to influence the change process. In short, addressing substance use issues with the young people in your care is an integral part of your role as a probation officer.
How can I help a young person change their substance use behaviours?
The relationship needs to be based on an honest explanation of the duality of your role as a probation officer: to supervise and report on compliance to probation orders, but also to support the young person in complying with the orders while improving their well-being. In other words, you take on the role of “broker”, working with the young person to complete their supervision order.
Motivational interviewing techniques are critical to the “broker” role. Used within a brief intervention framework, these techniques — and others you can learn from the AME resource — will allow you to build a connection with young people while continuing to both encourage and require them to take responsibility for their drug-related behaviours.
Additional Resources:
Best Practice in Alcohol and Other Drug Interventions Working Group (2000). Evidence-based practice indicators for alcohol and other drug interventions: Literature review.http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/Publications/IndicatorsofBestPractice/tabid/109/Default.aspx
Bidmon, Jeff, Phyllis Yellow Eagle Cadue, Kit Enniss, et al (2007). Juvenile Probation Officers call for a new response to teen drug and alcohol use and dependency. A Reclaiming Futures National Fellowship Report, Portland, OR. http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/sites/default/files/documents/RF_Juvenile_Probation_web_r3.pdf
Marsh, A., Dale, A. & Willis, L. (2007). Counsellor’s Guide to Working with Alcohol and Drug Users (2nd ed). Alcohol and Drug Office. http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/Publications/tabid/99/DMXModule/427/Default.aspx?EntryId=902