NATIONAL ENDORSEMENT EXAMINATION FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROFESSIONALS

Transcription

1 NATIONAL ENDORSEMENT EXAMINATION FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROFESSIONALS Handbook for Candidates Examinations will be administered during the first full calendar week of each month throughout the year from Saturday through Saturday. Applications must be received six (6) weeks before the start of the testing period. Please visit for specific testing periods BROADWAY 17th FLOOR NEW YORK, NY (212)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ENDORSEMENT HISTORY OBJECTIVES ADMINISTRATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ATTAINMENT OF ENDORSEMENT RECERTIFICATION REVOCATION OF ENDORSEMENT APPEALS PROCEDURE APPLICATION PROCEDURE COMPLETION OF APPLICATION FEES REFUNDS/RESCHEDULING EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION SCHEDULING YOUR EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT SPECIAL NEEDS CHANGING YOUR EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT RULES FOR THE EXAMINATION REPORT OF RESULTS REEXAMINATION CONFIDENTIALITY CONTENT OF EXAMINATION CONTENT OUTLINE SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS CODE OF ETHICS NOTES This handbook contains necessary information about the National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals (NESAP). Please retain it for future reference. Candidates are responsible for reading these instructions carefully. This handbook is subject to change.

3 - 1 - ENDORSEMENT The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals (NESAP) is intended to standardize competencies and to recognize nationally a high level of effective clinical practice in treating adolescent Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). HISTORY The National Endorsement for Student Assistance Professionals was developed to address the need for professional competencies for practitioners addressing adolescent Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in a school setting. SAPs have a history of offering assessments, referrals and preventative support to students in a variety of school settings. This special endorsement helps identify those practitioners who have obtained specific training and education that enhance the practice of Student Assistance Professionals. This endorsement distinguishes the recipient with possessing a unique set of skills for this practice when addressing adolescent issues in a school setting: Knowledge to adequately identify issues with and awareness of adolescent development; and to differentiate issues related to co-occurring disorders that practitioners need to understand when working with adolescents. OBJECTIVES The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals (NESAP) is re-designed with the support of the National Student Assistance Association and the NCC AP. The NSAA has many experienced certified and licensed clinicians with the specific knowledge of this practice. This aided the redevelopment of this Endorsement. The NESAP validates the specialized experience and training of student assistance professionals while honoring the ethical obligation to provide the highest quality care for those whom they serve. ADMINISTRATION The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals is sponsored by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). Questions concerning eligibility criteria should be addressed to: National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals 1001 North Fairfax Street, Ste # 201 Alexandria, VA (703) or (800) The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals is administered for the NCC AP by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). Questions concerning the examinations should be referred to PTC at the following address: Professional Testing Corporation 1350 Broadway - 17th Floor New York, NY (212)

4 - 2 - ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Candidates for the National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals (NESAP) must meet the following criteria: 1. Hold a current license recognized by state or national organization, or an SUD credential. 2. Have three years or 6,000 hours of validated, supervised experience (volunteer or hired) in substance abuse prevention/intervention and/or treatment. 3. Have two years or 2,880 hours (of the three years or 6,000 hours specified above) of experience in a school setting delivering Student Assistance services. 4. Provide evidence (documentation) of at least 100 contact hours of SUD and/or mental health training; these hours must include 6 hours of professional ethics and 6 hours of HIV training. Also provide evidence of 70 contact hours of training related SAP service over last 5 years. Up to 40% of the 70 hours can be from a nationally or regionally recognized online or distance learning program. At least 60% must be face-to-face contact. If using college courses, one college credit counts as 10 contact hours. 5. Read the NAADAC Code of Ethics and sign the statement on the Application affirming adherence to this code. 6. Submit completed Application with the required fee to the Professional Testing Corporation. All sections of the Application must be completed. 7. Take and pass the written National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals. 8. Receive final approval of the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals. ATTAINMENT OF ENDORSEMENT Candidates will be notified of examination results within four weeks after the close of the testing window. The candidates who successfully complete the written examination will be contacted by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals for submission of the application for award of the NESAP. Upon notification of award, the candidate is encouraged to use the appropriate designation, NESAP, after the name in all professional endeavors. Validation of endorsement is available at all times through the NCC AP administrative offices. Definitions: State or National Licensure / Certification: - Defined as a certificate issued by the state or national level agency responsible for mental health and/or addiction counselors.

5 - Certification credentials which fulfill these criteria include: NCAC-I NCAC-II MAC CAC CSAC LPC LMFT LCSW LCP Experience: a. Full time employment which most of the time involved counseling of clients, specifically adolescents, with mental health and/or addiction problems. b. Unpaid employment as a mental health/addiction counselor. c. Teaching, training, and clinical supervision PROVIDED it has been preceded by supervised experience as a mental health and/or addiction counselor. d. EAP, ACOA, and Codependency counseling. e. Internship (may be applied as experience OR education, but not both). Supervision: - Supervision is provided by the individual who oversees the work and/or signs off on the candidate's reporting/client records. This individual is the candidate's supervisor by position and his/her credentials need not be presented as part of the application. - Supervision for those in private practice may consist of oversight by a medical director or knowledgeable colleague attesting that the candidate is indeed in the practice of mental health and/or addiction counseling, specifically with adolescents. Education: - Contact hours are defined as the actual number of classroom or workshop hours spent in the activity, exclusive of breaks, or the actual supervised (direct or indirect) hours spent in training practice, internships, or apprenticeship primarily involved in adolescent treatment. - Instructors may receive credit for adolescent treatment related courses presented. The instructor receives the same number of hours as the student received. Credit will be given only once for a course regardless of the number of times it is completed. There are no hours available for preparation activities. - No education credit is offered for writing a book or other articles for publication. - Practicum/inservice/internship may be counted as training hours OR as work experience, but not as both.

6 - 4 - Documentation of Education: What is needed? a. Documentation of all educational hours required. This documentation may duplicate that provided to the state or national certification body but is necessary to show proof of attainment of educational hours required. b. Documentation may consist of copies of certificates of attendance at trainings, copy of college transcripts (student copies are acceptable), or a validated listing of appropriate trainings including name of provider, subject of training, dates attended, and hours completed. c. The following conversions are used to translate college credit hours and CEU s into contact hours: 1 quarter academic hour = 10 contact hours 1 semester academic hour = 15 contact hours 1 trimester academic hour = 5 contact hours 1 CEU = 10 contact hours RECERTIFICATION The NESAP credential is awarded for a period of three years, at which time the candidate must meet current eligibility requirements of 40 hours of additional training to recertify. REVOCATION OF ENDORSEMENT Endorsement may be revoked for any of the following reasons: 1. Falsification of any information, including experience data, requested in the Application. 2. Misrepresentation of endorsement status. 3. Revocation or suspension of state or national level certification or licensure. 4. Violation of the NAADAC Code of Ethics (see page 13). APPEALS PROCEDURE Upon notification of ineligibility for NESAP, a candidate wishing to appeal the decision must initiate the process in writing within 30 calendar days of the date of notice from the Commission. The appeal, addressed to the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals, must indicate specific grounds for reconsideration by the Commission. APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Read and follow the directions on the application and in this handbook. All applications must be completed online. The application can be found on Professional Testing Corporation s website: 2. The online application and appropriate fees for the examination must be received on or before the appropriate deadline listed in this handbook.

7 - 5 - COMPLETION OF APPLICATION Candidates must complete the examination application in full, using your name exactly as it appears on your current government issued photo ID, such as a driver s license or passport. The completed application must be submitted online with the examination fee. If payment is being made by check or money order, complete the online application and mail payment to: NCC AP Examinations Professional Testing Corporation 1350 Broadway, 17 th Floor New York, NY NOTE: Be certain payment clearly indicates candidate name and name of examination. Please note: Fees are NOT refundable. FEES 1. Examination Fee for the National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals. $ MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO: PROFESSIONAL TESTING CORPORATION DO NOT SEND CASH. REFUNDS/RESCHEDULING There will be no refund of fees, nor transfers to a different testing period. If you need to cancel your examination appointment or reschedule to a different date within the one-week testing period, you must contact PSI at (800) no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, of the second business day PRIOR to your scheduled appointment. This is subject to the availability of appointments at PSI. There is no fee for rescheduling within the one week testing period. EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals is administered during an established one-week testing period on a daily basis, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, at computer-based testing facilities managed by PSI. PSI has several hundred testing sites in the United States, as well as Canada. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. To find a testing center near you, visit or call PSI at (800) Please note: Hours and days of availability vary at different centers. You will not be able to schedule your examination appointment until you have received an Eligibility Notice from PTC. ONLINE TESTING TUTORIAL An online testing tutorial can be viewed at This document can give you an idea of the online testing features.

8 - 6 - SCHEDULING YOUR EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT Within 4 weeks prior to the first day of the testing period, you will be sent an Eligibility Notice. A paper copy of your Eligibility Notice plus your current, government-issued photo identification such as a driver s license or passport must be presented in order to gain admission to the testing center. If you do not receive an Eligibility Notice at least three weeks before the beginning of the testing period, contact the Professional Testing Corporation at (212) for a duplicate. The Eligibility Notice will indicate how to schedule your examination appointment as well as the dates during which testing is available. Appointment times are first-come, first-serve, so schedule your appointment as soon as you receive your Eligibility Notice in order to maximize your chance of testing at your preferred location and on your preferred date. After you make your test appointment, PSI will send you a confirmation with the date, time, and location of your examination. Please check this confirmation carefully for the correct date, time, and location. Contact PSI at (800) if you do not receive this confirmation or if there is a mistake with your appointment. It is your responsibility as the candidate to call PSI to schedule the examination appointment. It is highly recommended that you become familiar with the testing site prior to your testing date. Arrival at the testing site at the appointed time is the responsibility of the candidate. Please plan for weather, traffic, parking, and any security requirements that are specific to the testing location. Late arrival may prevent you from testing. SPECIAL NEEDS Special testing arrangements may be made for individuals with special needs. Submit the Application, examination fee, and a completed and signed Request for Special Accommodations Form, available from or by calling PTC at (212) Requests for special testing needs must be received at least EIGHT weeks before the testing period begins. Please notify PTC at least two weeks prior to your examination appointment if you need to bring a service dog, medicine, food, or beverages needed for a medical condition with you to the test center. CHANGING YOUR EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT If you need to cancel your examination appointment or reschedule to a different date within the one-week testing period, you must contact PSI at (800) no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, of the second business day PRIOR to your scheduled appointment. PSI does not have the authority to authorize refunds or transfers to another testing period. If you fail to arrive for your appointment or cancel without giving the required notice, you will forfeit your testing fee.

9 RULES FOR THE EXAMINATION Electronic devices, including but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, tablets, Bluetooth type devices, MP3 players (i.e. ipod), cameras, and voice recorders cannot be operative during the examination. 2. No papers, books or reference materials may be taken into or removed from the examination room. 3. Simple, nonprogrammable calculators are permitted with the exception of calculators as part of cellular phones, etc. A calculator is also available on screen if needed. 4. No questions concerning content of the examination may be asked during the examination session. The candidate should read carefully the directions that are provided on screen at the beginning of the examination session. 5. Candidates are prohibited from leaving the testing room while their examination is in session, with the sole exception of going to the restroom. REPORT OF RESULTS Candidates will be notified in writing by PTC within four weeks of the close of the testing period whether they have passed or failed the examination. Scores on the major areas of the examination and on the total examination will be reported. REEXAMINATION The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals may be taken as often as desired upon filing of a new Application and appropriate fee. There is no limit to the number of times the examination may be repeated. CONFIDENTIALITY 1. The NCC AP will release the individual test scores in writing ONLY to the individual candidate. 2. Any questions concerning test results should be referred to the Professional Testing Corporation. CONTENT OF EXAMINATION 1. The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals is a computer-based examination composed of a maximum of 100 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of two (2) hours. 2. The content for the examination is described in the Content Outline starting on page The questions for the examination are obtained from individuals with expertise in adolescent treatment and are reviewed for construction, accuracy, and appropriateness by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals. 4. The NCC AP, with the advice and assistance of the Professional Testing Corporation, prepares the examination.

10 The National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals will be weighted in approximately the following manner: I. Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances % II. Counseling Practice...50% III. Theoretical Base of Counseling...20% IV.Professional Issues...15% CONTENT OUTLINE I. PHARMACOLOGY OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES A. Definitions of Pharmacology B. Drug Classification C. The Recovery Process II. COUNSELING PRACTICE A. Client Evaluations B. Treatment Planning C. Counseling for/with Adolescents 1. Problems and Ramifications 2. Examination of Attitudes/Feelings 3. Consideration of Alternative Solutions 4. Skills a. Individual b. Group c. Family/Significant Others d. Intervention e. Motivational Assistance f. Meaningful Engagement g. Community Education h. Core Team Training i. School Policy Development j. Collaboration with Community k. Pro-social skills l. School Improvement Planning m. Drug Free Activities n. Intervention Planning o. Leadership Development p. Dropout Prevention q. Health Curriculum Instructions r. Parent Training s. Trauma Informed School Settings t. Systems Integration u. SBIRT D. Patient Care/Management 1. Case Management a. Juvenile Justice 2. Crisis Management 3. Referral 4. Reports and Recordkeeping 5. Consultation E. Education for Adolescents 1. Orientation 2. Alcohol and Drug Information 3. Non-Drug Issues 4. Self-Help Programs 5. Research

11 F. Coordination of Care 1. School Groups 2. Education Advocacy 3. SAT Test Preparation 4. Academic Achievement 5. Sibling Support G. Special Issues/Populations 1. Adolescence 2. Gender 3. Sexual Issues and Orientation 4. Cultural 5. Relapse 6. Suicide 7. Co-occurring Disorders 8. Gambling 9. Gangs H. Prevention III. THEORETICAL BASE OF COUNSELING A. Addiction Counseling for Adolescents B. Human Growth and Development C. Behavioral/Cognitive/Analytical Theories IV.PROFESSIONAL ISSUES A. Law and Regulation B. Ethics C. Supervision D. Research and Outcome Studies

12 SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS In the following questions, choose the one best answer. 1. Which of the following is NOT an indicator of possible inhalant abuse? 1. Swelling of hands and feet 2. Chemical smell on breath, skin, or clothing 3. Intoxicated appearance without the smell of alcohol 4. Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, runny nose, and coughing 2. Use of which of the following is associated with a much greater likelihood that an adolescent will use illicit drugs? 1. Ritalin and Prozac 2. Alcohol and nicotine 3. Caffeine and sucrose 4. Aspiring and penicillin 3. Which of the following is the LEAST likely warning sign of youth gang activity? 1. Tagging 2. Tattoos 3. Cell phones 4. Particular clothing brands 4. Which of the following laws stipulates that youth under the age of 21 cannot possess or consume alcohol while operating a motor vehicle? 1. Clean Air 2. Social Host 3. Dram Shop 4. Zero Tolerance CORRECT ANSWERS TO SAMPLE QUESTIONS 1. 1; 2. 2; 3. 3; 4. 4

13 BIBLIOGRAPHY The following reference material may be useful in the preparation for the National Endorsement Examination for Student Assistance Professionals. The list does not attempt to include all acceptable references nor is it suggested that the examination is necessarily based on these references. Amy, A. M., C. Kathryn, et al. (2010). "Barriers to implementing individualized substance abuse treatment: qualitative findings from the Casper replication studies." Journal of Drug Issues 40(4): 819. Bager, P. and H. Vilstrup (2010). "Post-discharge brief intervention increases the frequency of alcohol abstinence -- a randomized trial." Journal of Addictions Nursing 21(1): Brown, R. (2010). "Associations With Substance Abuse Treatment Completion Among Drug Court Participants." Substance Use & Misuse 45(12): Clair, M., L. A. R. Stein, et al. (2011). "Motivation to change alcohol use and treatment engagement in incarcerated youth." Addictive behaviors 36(6): Els, C. and D. Kunyk (2010). "Applying a chronic disease paradigm to safe and effective treatment of tobacco addiction." Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy 46(3): Ibrahim, T., Ç. Hidayet, et al. (2011). "Six Month Follow up of Adolescents with Inhalant Abuse." Dusunen Adam 24(2): 139. Jalie, A. T. and A. S. Cathy (2011). "The Recovery Spectrum: From Self-Change to Seeking Treatment." Alcohol Research and Health 33(4): 371. Kay-Lambkin, F. J., A. White, et al. (2011). "Assessment of function and clinical utility of alcohol and other drug web sites: an observational, qualitative study." BMC public health 11(1): 277. Kelly, J. F., S. J. Dow, et al. (2011). "How safe are adolescents at Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings? A prospective investigation with outpatient youth." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 40(4): Lefebvre, L., D. Midmer, et al. (2010). "Participant perception of an integrated program for substance abuse in pregnancy." JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing 39(1): Nordfjaern, T., T. Rundmo, et al. (2010). "Treatment and recovery as perceived by patients with substance addiction." Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing 17(1): Ozietta, D. T. (2010). "Predictors and Protective Factors in the Prevention and Treatment of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders." Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment 20(5): 601. Paek, H. J., A. C. Gunther, et al. (2011) How Adolescents' Perceived Media Influence on Peers Affects Smoking Decisions. 45, Pećnik, N. and A. Tokić(2011). "Parental behaviors related to adolescents selfdisclosure: Adolescents views." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 28(2): Peterson, J. (2010). "A Qualitative Comparison of Parent and Adolescent Views Regarding Substance Use." The Journal of School Nursing 26(1):

14 Sussman, S. (2010). "A Review of Alcoholics Anonymous/ Narcotics Anonymous Programs for Teens." Evaluation & the Health Professions 33(1): Tripodi, S. J., K. Bender, et al. (2010). "Interventions for Reducing Adolescent Alcohol Abuse: A Meta-analytic Review." Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine 164(1): Tucker, J. A. and C. A. Simpson (2011). "The recovery spectrum: from selfchange to seeking treatment." Alcohol Research & Health 33(4): 371. Wachtel, T. and M. Staniford (2010). "The effectiveness of brief interventions in the clinical setting in reducing alcohol misuse and binge drinking in adolescents: a critical review of the literature." Journal of Clinical Nursing 19(5-6): Wei, C. C., B. D. Heckman, et al. (2011). "Correlates of motivation to change in adolescents completing residential substance use treatment." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 40(3): 272. Wisdom, J. P. and L. P. Gogel (2010). "Perspectives on adolescent residential substance abuse treatment: when are adolescents done?" Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) 61(8): Zucker, R. A., J. E. Donovan, et al. (2009). "Developmental Processes and Mechanisms." Alcohol Research & Health 32(1): PTC13059

15 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS CODE OF ETHICS NAADAC CODE OF ETHICS Introduction NAADAC recognizes that its members and NCC certified counselors live and work in many diverse communities. The NAADAC Code of Ethics was written to govern the conduct of its members and it is the accepted standard of conduct for addiction counselors certified by the National Certification Commission. I. The Counseling Relationship It is the responsibility of the addiction professional to safeguard the integrity of the counseling relationship and to ensure that the client is provided with beneficial services. The client will be provided access to effective treatment and referral giving consideration to individual educational, legal, and financial needs. Addiction professionals also recognize their responsibility to the larger society and any specific legal obligations that may, on limited occasions, supersede loyalty to clients. The addiction professional shall provide the client and/or guardian with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the professional relationship. In all areas of function, the addiction professional is likely to encounter individuals who are vulnerable and exploitable. In such relationships, he or she seeks to nurture and support the development of a relationship of equals rather than to take unfair advantage. In personal relationships, the addiction professional seeks to foster self-sufficiency and healthy self-esteem in others. In relationships with clients, he or she provides only that level and length of care that is necessary and acceptable. II. Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation of Client Data The addiction professional uses assessment instruments as one component of the counseling/treatment and referral process taking into account the client s personal and cultural background. The assessment process promotes the wellbeing of individual clients or groups. Addiction professionals base their recommendations and reports on approved evaluation instruments and procedures. The designated assessment instruments are ones for which reliability has been verified by research. III. Confidentiality/Privileged Communication and Privacy Addiction professionals shall provide information to clients regarding confidentiality and any reasons for releasing information in adherence with confidentiality laws. When providing services to families, couples, or groups, the limits and exceptions to confidentiality must be reviewed and a written document describing confidentiality must be provided to each person. Once private information is obtained by the addiction professional, standards of confidentiality apply. Confidential information is disclosed when appropriate with valid consent from a client or guardian. Every effort is made to protect the confidentiality of client information and, in very specific cases or situations, to disclose information appropriately and according to federal law.

16 IV. Professional Responsibility The addiction professional espouses objectivity and integrity and maintains the highest standards in the services provided. The addiction professional recognizes that effectiveness in his or her profession is based on the ability to be worthy of trust. The professional has taken time to reflect on the ethical implications of clinical decisions and behavior using competent authority as a guide. Further, the addiction professional recognizes that those who assume the role of assisting others to live a more responsible life take on the ethical accountability of living responsibly. The addiction professional recognizes that even in a life well-lived, harm might be done to others by words and actions. When he or she becomes aware that any work or action has done harm, he or she admits the error and does what is possible to repair or ameliorate the harm except when to do so would cause greater harm. Professionals recognize the many ways in which they influence clients and others within the community and take this fact into consideration as they make decisions in their personal conduct. V. Working in a Culturally Diverse World An addiction professional understands the significance of the role that ethnicity and culture play in an individual s perceptions and how he or she lives in the world. Addiction professionals shall remain aware that many individuals have disabilities which may or may not be obvious. Some disabilities are invisible and unless described might not appear to inhibit expected social, work, and health care interactions. Included in the invisible disabled category are those persons who are hearing impaired, have a learning disability, have a history of brain or physical injuries, and those affected by chronic illness. Persons having such limitations might be younger than age 65. Part of the intake and assessment must then include a question about any additional factor that must be considered when working with the client. VI. Workplace Standards The addiction professional recognizes that the profession is founded on national standards of competency which promote the best interests of society, the client, the individual addiction professional and the profession as a whole. The addiction professional recognizes the need for ongoing education as a component of professional competency and development. VII. Supervision and Consultation Addiction professionals who supervise others accept the obligation to facilitate further professional development of these individuals by providing accurate and current information, timely evaluations, and constructive consultation. Counseling supervisors are aware of the power differential in their relationships with supervisees and take precautions to maintain ethical standards. In relationships with students, employees, and supervisees, he/she strives to develop full creative potential and mature independent functioning. VIII. Resolving Ethical Issues The addiction professional shall behave in accordance with legal, ethical, and moral standards for his or her work. To this end, professionals will attempt to resolve ethical dilemmas with direct and open communication among all parties involved and seek supervision and/or consultation as appropriate. IX. Communication and Published Works The addiction professional who submits for publication or prepares handouts for clients or students or for general distribution shall be aware of and adhere to copyright laws.

17 X. Policy and Political Involvement The addiction professional is strongly encouraged, to the best of his or her ability, to actively engage the legislative processes, educational institutions, and the general public to change public policy and legislation to make possible opportunities and choice of service for all human beings of any ethnic or social background whose lives are impaired by alcoholism and drug abuse. Revised March 28, 2011

18 NOTES