Referring entity: Timothy was referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice intake specialist for a substance abuse and mental health assessment.
Timothy was apprehended and charged with larceny. At the time of his arrest Timothy was drug screened and tested positive for marijuana and alcohol. The referral also notes that Timothy has displayed truant behavior in school over the past year and when he turned 16 dropped out.
Intake information: Timothy arrives for the assessment without his parents, when questions regarding this he stated that they are not really a part of his life and that they have bigger things to worry about. Knowing that 42CFR allows for minor to consent for treatment you continue with the assessment process.
Timothy is defiant and does not understand why marijuana and alcohol are such a big deal, “everyone does them.”
He states that his only regret is that he did not get away with his crime this time. Timothy’s appearance is disheveled, he is dressed in ragged dirty cloths, pupils are constricted, and his speech is somewhat slurred. When you drug test him, he claims that he will be clean, however he actually tested positive for marijuana and opiates.
1) What do you believe are some of the attitudinal barriers you might face in working with Timothy?
2) Identify at least two questions you would use during the assessment process?
