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Advice and Information Services
well-run advice and information service should be the first port of call for anyone seeking treatment. Here, the staff should be able to inform you of what particular options are available in your area, and suggest alternatives that you might not have thought of. As the first port of call, an advice and information service has a great deal of power …a well-run advice and in shaping the quality service that you information service of receive.
A
should be the first port of call for anyone seeking treatment…
However, you should be somewhat cautious when approaching such services. Funding for drugs services is often dependent upon their
reaching certain targets, ie, seeing a certain number of clients each month. Competent services will assess the client, and then refer them to the service that is most suited to their needs, but some advice and information services are actually counselling services in disguise, and will automatically try to refer all their advice clients into the counselling service, regardless of whether this is the best option. As with any drug service, the quality of staff in such services is extremely variable. Some will be extremely knowledgeable about drugs and their effects, and can provide you with a valuable resource. Others may know jack shit about drugs, and care even less. So when they do give you advice or information, it might be a good idea to
…the quality of staff in such services is extremely variable. Some will be extremely knowledgeable about drugs … others may know jack shit…
