The Health Advisory Service (HAS) reports (1996, 2001) detailed recommendations about the design and delivery for drug and alcohol services for young people. This included the description of a four tiered model. Central to the success of the model is the ability of staff to carry out specific roles. Appropriate training is fundamental to ensuring that staff understand where they fit within the model and have the skills to be able to respond appropriately to the needs of young people.

The HAS approach has been adopted to good effect in Hertfordshire and many professionals have been trained and are able to respond to young people’s drug and alcohol needs and know how and when to refer onto specialist services.