The NASW Code of Ethics provides social workers with guidelines and standards for interacting with clients, colleagues, communities, and society, as a whole. These standards govern interactions and professional behavior of social work practitioners. The NASW has also developed specific standards, which are published in the NASW Standards for Social Work Practice With Clients With Substance Use Disorders. These standards emphasize the importance of the competence of social workers. The standards indicate that social workers should be knowledgeable of evidence-based interventions for substance disorders. The confidentiality standard becomes essential as social workers must be informed and comply with federal, state, and local laws about substance use, as well as third-party payee regulations. For this Discussion , review this week’s resources, including the case Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe,and consider how social policies affect Joe’s circumstances as described in the case study. Then, think about any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case. Finally, reflect on how you might address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe. By Day 3 Post an explanation of how drug policies affect Joe’s circumstances, as described in the case study. Then, explain any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case as a result of the drug policies described in the case study. Finally, describe a strategy you might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe. Joe is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who came to the County Division of Social Services to apply for General Assistance (GA) benefits. The GA program provides cash assistance, Medicaid coverage, and housing for homeless single adults. Joe is in need of Medicaid benefits in order to remain active in his treatment program. Joe is receiving treatment at the Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser (MICA) partial hospitalization program at the local community mental health center for clients who are dually diagnosed. Joe has a dependence on marijuana, although he has stopped using it for approximately six months, and has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He is being prescribed medication. Joe reports that he is unable to work due to mental illness, and without an income or health insurance, he is unable to obtain his medication. Joe reports that while he was enrolled as a student at the state university, he would sell marijuana to other college students. Eventually, he was arrested and convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and served 3 years in prison. Joe has had no further arrests; however, he has not been able to secure permanent housing or employment since his release. Joe reports that this event has ruined his life. His lack of employment results from an inability to pass most background checks. If he discloses that he was arrested, Joe reports that he is never called for .

1. The NASW Code of Ethics provides social workers with
guidelines and standards for interacting with clients, colleagues,
communities, and society, as a whole. These standards govern
interactions and professional behavior of social work
practitioners. The NASW has also developed specific standards,
which are published in the NASW Standards for Social Work
Practice With Clients With Substance Use Disorders. These
standards emphasize the importance of the competence of social
workers. The standards indicate that social workers should be
knowledgeable of evidence-based interventions for substance
disorders. The confidentiality standard becomes essential as
social workers must be informed and comply with federal, state,
and local laws about substance use, as well as third-party payee
regulations.
For this Discussion
, review this week’s resources, including the case Working with
Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe,and consider how
social policies affect Joe’s circumstances as described in the
case study. Then, think about any gaps in service you found in
Joe’s case. Finally, reflect on how you might address these gaps
or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.
By Day 3
Post
an explanation of how drug policies affect Joe’s circumstances,
as described in the case study. Then, explain any gaps in service
you found in Joe’s case as a result of the drug policies
described in the case study. Finally, describe a strategy you
might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies
that affect Joe.

2. Joe is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who came to the County
Division of Social Services to apply for General Assistance
(GA) benefits. The GA program provides cash assistance,
Medicaid coverage, and housing for homeless single adults. Joe
is in need of Medicaid benefits in order to remain active in his
treatment program. Joe is receiving treatment at the Mentally Ill
Chemical Abuser (MICA) partial hospitalization program at the
local community mental health center for clients who are dually
diagnosed. Joe has a dependence on marijuana, although he has
stopped using it for approximately six months, and has been
diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He is being
prescribed medication.
Joe reports that he is unable to work due to mental illness, and
without an income or health insurance, he is unable to obtain
his medication. Joe reports that while he was enrolled as a
student at the state university, he would sell marijuana to other
college students. Eventually, he was arrested and convicted of
possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous
substance (CDS) and served 3 years in prison. Joe has had no
further arrests; however, he has not been able to secure
permanent housing or employment since his release.
Joe reports that this event has ruined his life. His lack of
employment results from an inability to pass most background
checks. If he discloses that he was arrested, Joe reports that he
is never called for interviews. But when he once failed to

3. disclose the information to the prospective employer, Joe was
terminated for lying on his application. Joe believes that he has
little hope for future employment.
Joe has few natural supports in his life. He reports that
following the incarceration, his family distanced itself from him
and his girlfriend at the time broke up with him. He reports that
his only supports are his local Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
sponsor and his mental health counselor. Joe reports that his
housing situation has been unstable and sporadic for the past 10
years.
Joe’s mental health counselor from the MICA program has
contacted me to advocate for Joe’s approval for benefits. I
explained that under the current state regulations, Joe is
ineligible for benefits due to his CDS distribution conviction.
The only program options that I can offer him are food stamps
and access to a homeless shelter outside of the county. The
counselor explained that relocation would cause a disruption to
Joe’s mental health treatment and would cause him to lose
contact with his local NA sponsor.
In response to the counselor’s concerns, I suggested that Joe
contact the local faith-based organization for assistance.
Although they do not house single males, they have an
extensive network of volunteers, mentors, and donors who may
financially support people in need. I referred Joe to a program
that offers bonding to people seeking employment who have
been previously incarcerated. Finally, I suggested that the
counselor research Joe’s ability to remain in treatment at the
hospital despite his lack of Medicaid coverage. The counselor
agreed to assist Joe with these suggestions.