Young People and Substance Use

Unit code: ECY2001 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Online Real Time
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
Enquire

Overview

This unit will introduce students to the social, historical and political contexts of young people and substance use. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to build skills in the assessment and planning of appropriate interventions, advocacy and referral when working with young people who use Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD). An overview of community-based youth specific AOD services will be provided with consideration of evidence-based practice models. Students will also explore and analyse drug policy and the impact those policies have on young people in the AOD sector.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Contextualise the use of Alcohol and Other Drugs by young people within their social, political and historical settings;
  2. Examine theoretical models of support in working with young people who are using Alcohol and Other Drugs;
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to be able to relate to young people with Alcohol and Other Drugs use including methods of effective communication and, workplace protocols and procedures. Make evidence based judgments to assess plan treatments and recommend therapeutic interventions; and,
  4. Interrogate methods of Youth Work practice that are appropriate to be used in a range of Alcohol and Other Drugs that are aligned with the Youth Work Professions Code of Ethical Practice and key stakeholder views.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 10%
Test
Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 30%
Interrogate a case related to a young person.
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 20%
Group presentation
Assessment type: Essay
|
Grade: 40%
Consider a Harm Minimisation model of professional practice

For ABYW and EBYS students: Due to accreditation requirements from Youth Workers Australia, this unit has an attendance requirement of 80% and students must successfully complete all assessments to pass the unit. This is to ensure that the course maintains the standards and benchmarking set out by the accreditation body.

Required reading

Essential Skills for Youth Work Practice.
Sapin, K., (2013).| Sage Publications.

Selected readings will be made available via VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Criminal Justice
ABCJ | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years
Bachelor of Youth Work
ABYW | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years
Bachelor of Youth Work/Bachelor of Sport Management
EBYS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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