Adolescent Substance Use: Management across different settings in India
Anju Dhawan, Chair: Hamad Al GhafriLecture Hall A
Substance use disorder affects a significant percentage of adolescents in India. Evidence for universal prevention in family and school settings and the key components will be discussed. Resource material developed for prevention targeting family and adolescents in school settings in India will be shared. Data suggests that identification and provision of intervention for adolescents with psychological difficulties should be a part of the preventive strategy.
Adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) constitute a small percentage of treatment seekers in India. Outreach and identification in the community, schools, child care institutions are important to provide early interventions. In school settings, teachers have an important role to play in early identification with provision of brief intervention by the school counselors and further referral for treatment if required. Resource material on counseling has been developed to build the capacity of school counselors along with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for prevention and intervention for substance use in school settings in India.
The gap in services due to lack of trained manpower in various settings needs to be filled. Adolescents who need more intensive intervention should be referred to treatment settings, that should be adolescent friendly. Separate inpatient treatment facilities are a legal requirement for adolescents as per the Mental Health Care Act in India.
Overall, the issue of adolescent substance use needs to be addressed through a multisectoral approach.
References
Mewton, L., Visontay, R., Chapman, C., Newton, N., Slade, T., Kay‐Lambkin, F., & Teesson, M. (2018). Universal prevention of alcohol and drug use: an overview of reviews in an Australian context. Drug and alcohol review, 37, S435-S469.
Dhawan A, Bhargava R, Chatterjee B, Mandal P (2021). Standard Operating Procedures for Prevention and Intervention for Substance Use. New Delhi: Samagra Shiksha- Delhi, Education Department, GNCT of Delhi
Bhargava R, Dhawan A. (2021). Manual for Counsellors on Screening and Brief Intervention in Substance Use in School children. New Delhi: Samagra Shiksha-Delhi, Govt. of NCT of Delhi.