title: Mental health professionals' attitudes to drugs and substance abuse.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mental health professionals' attitudes to drug and substance abuse in Victoria, Australia. The drug- and alcohol-related attitudes of clinicians were examined in order to develop a relevant training curriculum for clinicians. A questionnaire on knowledge, skills, attitudes and practises was distributed to mental health clinicians (n = 378) in Victoria. One hundred and seventy-three clinicians returned the questionnaire, giving an overall response rate of 46%. The survey results show that the attitude of mental health professionals to drug and substance abuse is generally a positive one. The majority of respondents held positive views on treatment interventions and they are optimistic that drug and alcohol dependence are treatable illnesses. A positive and more optimistic attitude towards treatment interventions should enable health professionals, particularly nurses, to provide the necessary care for those in need of medical care.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice, School of Postgraduate Nursing, University of Melbourne, 1/723 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia. Jaya@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinikahana
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Happell
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014739:Victoria