The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a new quality standard which focuses on preventing or delaying use of harmful drugs by children, young people and adults who are susceptible to drug use, or already experimenting or using drugs occasionally. Substances with potential for drug misuse include illegal psychoactive substances, solvents and volatile agents, image- and performance-enhancing drugs, prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
The quality standard covers the following 4 recommendations:
- Looked-after children and young people should be evaluated for vulnerability to drug misuse during their annual health plan review.
- Care leavers undergoing health assessment as part of planning to leave care should be evaluated for vulnerability to drug misuse.
- Children and young people undergoing young offender assessment should be evaluated for vulnerability to drug misuse.
- Adults at risk for drug misuse should be provided information about local services and seeking further advice and support.
Health professionals should also take into consideration quality standards on ‘Antisocial behaviour and conduct disorders in children and young people’, ‘Looked-after children and young people’, and ‘Drug use disorders' when providing services for drug misuse prevention.