Description
Substance abuse is perceived in a variety of ways by different entities. The court system may view substance abuse as a criminal activity. The medical and social work fields may view it as evidence of a disease or disorder. Uninformed individuals may view substance abuse as a personal choice or weakness. Decisions about how to address and respond to this social problem influence the development of effective policies.
This week, you explore the impact of drug policies on clients and populations. You identify the ethical obligations of social workers in changing drug policies. You also identify the impact of social agencies on social issues and analyze social service delivery systems.
The NASW Code of Ethics provides social workers with guidelines and standards for interacting with clients, colleagues, communities, and society, as a whole. These standards govern interactions and professional behavior of social work practitioners. The NASW has also developed specific standards, which are published in the NASW Standards for Social Work Practice With Clients With Substance Use Disorders. These standards emphasize the importance of the competence of social workers. The standards indicate that social workers should be knowledgeable of evidence-based interventions for substance disorders. The confidentiality standard becomes essential as social workers must be informed and comply with federal, state, and local laws about substance use, as well as third-party payee regulations.
For this Discussion, review this week’s resources, including the case Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe,and consider how social policies affect Joe’s circumstances as described in the case study. Then, think about any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case. Finally, reflect on how you might address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.
Post an explanation of how drug policies affect Joe’s circumstances, as described in the case study. Then, explain any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case as a result of the drug policies described in the case study. Finally, describe a strategy you might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.
Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.
Reference
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
- “Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe” (pp. 77–78)
Case of Joe
Joe is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who came to the County Division of Social Services to
apply for General Assistance (GA) benefits. The GA program provides cash assistance, Medicaid
coverage, and housing for homeless single adults. Joe is in need of Medicaid benefits in order to
remain active in his treatment program. Joe is receiving treatment at the Mentally Ill Chemical
Abuser (MICA) partial hospitalization program at the local community mental health center for
clients who are dually diagnosed. Joe has a dependence on marijuana, although he has stopped
using it for approximately six months, and has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He
is being prescribed medication.
Joe reports that he is unable to work due to mental illness, and without an income or health
insurance, he is unable to obtain his medication. Joe reports that while he was enrolled as a student
at the state university, he would sell marijuana to other college students. Eventually, he was
arrested and convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance
(CDS) and served 3 years in prison. Joe has had no further arrests; however, he has not been able
to secure permanent housing or employment since his release.
Joe reports that this event has ruined his life. His lack of employment results from an inability
to pass most background checks. If he discloses that he was arrested, Joe reports that he is never
called for interviews. But when he once failed to disclose the information to the prospective
employer, Joe was terminated for lying on his application. Joe believes that he has little hope for
future employment.
Joe has few natural supports in his life. He reports that following the incarceration, his family
distanced itself from him and his girlfriend at the time broke up with him. He reports that his only
supports are his local Narcotics Anonymous (NA) sponsor and his mental health counselor. Joe
reports that his housing situation has been unstable and sporadic for the past 10 years.
Joe’s mental health counselor from the MICA program has contacted me to advocate for Joe’s
approval for benefits. I explained that under the current state regulations, Joe is ineligible for
benefits due to his CDS distribution conviction. The only program options that I can offer him are
food stamps and access to a homeless shelter outside of the county. The counselor explained that
relocation would cause a disruption to Joe’s mental health treatment and would cause him to lose
contact with his local NA sponsor.
In response to the counselor’s concerns, I suggested that Joe contact the local faith-based
organization for assistance. Although they do not house single males, they have an extensive
network of volunteers, mentors, and donors who may financially support people in need. I referred
Joe to a program that offers bonding to people seeking employment who have been previously
incarcerated. Finally, I suggested that the counselor research Joe’s ability to remain in treatment
at the hospital despite his lack of Medicaid coverage. The counselor agreed to assist Joe with these
suggestions.
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