title: Whither the drug specialist? The work-force development needs of drug specialist staff and agencies.
abstract: Drug specialist staff and agencies have been identified as having a critical role in responding to alcohol and other drug-related harm. This role must be seen in the context of the broad needs of people affected by drug use and the services that they utilize. Unfortunately, as in generic mainstream services, skill development, expertise, organizational structures and resources do not always support the demands of the drug specialist role. In order to develop the drug specialist work-force we must first review the evidence about the factors that influence effective practice. The available research indicates that a range of strategies is required and that these should not only focus on building the capacity of individuals, but also on organizations and systems. Substantial effort in capacity building is required in order to fulfil the expectations created by the title "drug specialist".
authors.affiliation: Drug and Alcohol Office, Mt Lawley Western Australia and Centre for International Health, Division of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Steve J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Allsop
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helfgott
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D004501:Education, Medical; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D008511:Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D013038:Specialization; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology