Developing drug policies:

About the course: This course is aimed at service providers, and is aimed at assisting the process of policy development and implementation. While the course cannot provide workers with a ready made solution to their policy needs, the course seeks to equip workers with the theory, content and process of a successful policy.

Duration: One day

Appropriate for: Residential services, advice agencies, day centres and other arenas that require a drug policy. The course should be attended by workers who have sufficient seniority to make policy decisions within their organisations. Workers MUST have attended a Drugs and the Law course in order to understand the basic legal issues that the policy must cover.

Objectives: By the end of the course participants will:

• Be aware of the need for an effective drug policy
• Be aware of the legal and practical requirements of a drug policy
• Understand the process involved in policy development
• Be aware of the key policy areas that need to be addressed
• Have practical experience of drafting and testing policy clauses

Course includes:

Format: Group discussion, group work, taught sections

Handouts: Copies of OHP, Sample drugs policy, "Developing a Drugs Policy," Legislation and further reading.

DANOS Modules: BA1, BA3, BD2, BD3