Introduction
Social workers have remained central influencers in the lives of people, including children, youths, people with disabilities, people with low incomes, and drug addicts in society. The professionals usually assess society, examine the specific needs of groups, and create proper avenues to enable such individuals to find the necessary support. Over the years, social workers have worked closely with legal professionals to combat the growing influence of substance abuse in societies. The collaboration of such personnel has proven significant, especially in establishing a recovery system for affected victims.
The interrelated issues surrounding the usage of illicit drugs in society require a combined effort from the law enforcement body and probation and prison team. For instance, police and probation officers can efficiently work together with social workers in the community to address the issues of substance use. However, the police and probation professions require values and codes of ethics to guide the individuals’ behavior.
Police Officer
Generally, police officers are law enforcement units responsible for maintaining laws and order in society. The professionals are well trained by the body to undertake various tasks, including working with community partners such as social workers to support persons suffering from substance use. The personnel play significant roles, such as enforcing drug-related regulations to help reduce the growing influence of drug abuse in society.
To work accordingly, police practices are guided by a code of conduct to perform their duties. Some of the critical values include integrity, whereby the work ethic requires the professionals to be trustworthy in all their intended actions, especially when dealing with the general public. This aspect is essential in promoting trust between them and those they serve. In addition, the police are expected to serve the people in need in the community. Therefore, the facet of service forms a significant part of their values. The professionals comprehend the service aspect to the people and work diligently to ensure whoever wants the support is at their service.
Probation Officer
Probation officers are professionals responsible for monitoring and assessing the progress of individuals released from prison or victims subjected to alternative forms of incarceration. The personnel duties extend to the community, making them a significant part of the court system when dealing with cases of substance use. In most cases, the officers work closely with offenders to provide necessary support and address any possible issue that might interfere with recovery and the integration of people released from jail (White et al., 2021). This aspect makes their responsibility coincide significantly with social workers as both professions aim at helping society regain a sense of direction.
Probation officers have several codes of conduct that guide their practices and service delivery. These values are vital in ensuring professionals remain proactive and ethical when working. Some of their core values include confidentiality, where the officers are required not to disclose the details of probationers to any other party unless required by the law. Similarly, since they work closely with victims, the professionals are expected to respect and treat people they associate with accordingly. In other words, they should maintain a positive connection to ensure the individuals feel free. Furthermore, the officers must show professionalism, commitment, and respect for the office. The abovementioned values enable professionals to practice and execute their duties effectively.
Even though the values might be different from those of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), there are several codes that both the prison and probation officers have in common with NASW. For instance, the professions demand respect and service from individuals, a significant component of the NASW code of conduct. Despite the variation in focus, the values are aimed at enhancing the ethical behavior of the professionals, especially when discharging their duties.
The Perspective of Police Officers on Substance Abuse
Generally, several factors play a significant role in influencing the perception of police officers on the issue of drug abuse. First, the officer deems the issue of substance abuse as a core criminal activity whereby people found using illegal drugs are associated with crimes in society. Similarly, the aspect may make the officers view the issue as a public safety that requires a proper and immediate invention to facilitate order in the community. These viewpoints tend to differ from the perspective of social workers, who might not perceive the challenge as a security-related concern.
However, police officers further perceive the aspect of substance abuse as a harm reduction whereby they act and respond towards reducing the adverse effects of consuming illicit drugs. In addition, the professionals may perceive the challenge as a prevention measure, and their primary duty is to hinder people from selling and buying the products. The mentioned standpoints directly coincide with the view of social workers who generally support and engage in activities that reduce and prevent the prevalence of substance abuse in society.
The Perspective of Probation Officers on Substance Abuse
Probation officers have different perceptions about the issue of substance abuse based on their practices, department policies, and their personal experiences. First, the professionals perceive drug usage as a community safety whereby they work towards ensuring a reduction in the number of users by preventing the aspect of recidivism. To achieve this facet, the officers remain vigilant while monitoring the recovery progress of each probationer to counter any possible relapse during the process.
In addition, the professionals view the challenge as rehabilitation, similar to how social workers perceive it. In this context, probation officers assume that substance abuse is a result of a mental problem that requires attention and support from different practitioners, as well as subjecting the victims to evidence-based practices. The personnel believes that such measures can potentially lower the societal issue.
In addition, probation officers and social workers have similar perspectives concerning substance abuse, which is collaboration. Both professionals view working with other experts, including healthcare providers and police officers, as essential to addressing the challenge (Selekman, 2023). It is necessary to coordinate the workforce to ensure comprehensive services are provided to the affected individuals for an effective outcome. In other words, when different specialist concentrates their effort, they are more likely to tackle the issue from all sides, leading to positive change.
Situations When a Social Worker Might Work with Police and Probation Officers
Generally, substance abuse is a societal concern in which both the police and probation officers can be quickly involved. Possible situations in which I might contact a probation officer affect court-order treatment. In cases where people are convicted for drug-related offenses, they might be required by the court system to undertake treatment. During this period, it is likely that I can work closely with the probation officer to ensure the respective individual obtains the needed support to recover effectively from the influence of the drug.
Similarly, I might work together with probation and police officers in cases of drug abuse intervention. Assuming an individual abusing illicit substances is causing chaos in the public, I can be required to collaborate with police and probation professionals to conduct an assessment on the respective to determine the issue (Feltmann et al., 2021). After examining the person, the professionals can formulate an effective support plan to ensure the victim receives the necessary care.
Lastly, another scenario that can make me interact and work with the officers is a referral program whereby the professional recommends an individual suffering from substance abuse for necessary support. Typically, social workers can connect the public to resources and organizations that might help needy people. To ensure the programs run smoothly, the officers might meet to discuss the plans for successful engagement.
Areas of Conflict
Even though all parties work toward the interest of society, there are possible areas of conflict that affect the operations. First, the aspect of priorities is a potential issue when it comes to dealing with substance abuse. Both police and probation officers may be focused on promoting public safety when addressing the issue, while a social worker’s concern is the needs of the respective person (Zerden et al., 2019). The conflict typically comes from the approach that is to be used to tackle the matter, as the participants may opt for different techniques, leading to misunderstanding.
Similarly, the facet of confidentiality is an area that facilitates conflict. In most cases, the police and probation officer may need to access the victim’s details to monitor treatment progress and confirm their adherence to the court order. This approach contradicts the actions and codes of a social worker who must maintain the victim’s privacy (Zerden et al., 2019). This aspect can potentially cause severe misunderstandings, especially when sharing information.
To overcome the opposing ideas, I will embrace open communication to enable proper understanding between me and the police and probation officer. The approach will ensure a prior assessment of the situation before engaging. I will be sure to discuss confidentiality with the professionals and how to share confidential details that must be provided for victims’ treatment. The approaches will ensure the differences are addressed before they occur.
How a Social Worker Can Work Effectively with Police and Probation Officers
As a social worker, I will communicate effectively to facilitate proper understanding between me and the professionals. The approach will enable the development of good rapport, which is vital for offering necessary services. For instance, I will ask the officers questions on areas I do not comprehend and speak clearly to enable them to understand my opinion about the issue (Van Hook, 2019). The aspect will promote effective relations required to deliver excellent services to the client. In addition, I will adhere to the NASW ethical standards of confidentiality and integrity. For example, I will not keep any information the police and probation officer can use to improve the services.
Conclusion
The issue of substance abuse requires a joint effort to address the challenges associated with it. Social workers need to collaborate with legal professionals such as police and probation officers to solve the impacts of drug abuse in society. Even though the professionals might have a different perspective on the issue, their goal is to provide safety for the people. Social workers should embrace working with probation officials to ensure the recidivism rate is reduced accordingly.
References
Feltmann, K., Gripenberg, J., Strandberg, A. K., Elgán, T. H., & Kvillemo, P. (2021). Drug dealing and drug use prevention–a qualitative interview study of authorities’ perspectives on two open drug scenes in Stockholm. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 16, 1-14. Web.
Selekman, M. D. (2023). Breaking free from a gang lifestyle: The use of a solution‐determined collaborative team to help transform a challenging and complex adolescent case situation. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Web.
Van Hook, M. P. (2019). Social work practice with families: A resiliency-based approach. Oxford University Press, USA.
White, M. D., Perrone, D., Watts, S., & Malm, A. (2021). Moving beyond Narcan: A police, social service, and researcher collaborative response to the opioid crisis. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 46, 626-643. Web.
Zerden, L. D., Lombardi, B. M., & Richman, E. L. (2019). Social workers on the interprofessional integrated team: Elements of team integration and barriers to practice. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 17. Web.