Minnesota WIC Operations Manual (MOM) Section 6.4: Drug and Harmful Substance Use Education

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Section 6.4: Drug and Harmful Substance Use Education 4 / 2 0 21 References: 7CFR 246.11 (a)(3); 7CFR 246.7 (a) Policy: Local agency must provide information regarding the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol at the time of the family’s first certification in WIC and make referrals as appropriate. Purpose: To improve the health status of WIC participants by preventing and/or reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Procedures ▪ Discuss the potential harmful effects of drugs or other harmful substances. This is required for all participants, regardless of current use of substances. ▪ Give printed education materials to pregnant women and the parents/caregivers of infants and children. The printed materials are an adjunct to the one-on-one discussion described in the first bullet, not a replacement. See Guidance for ways to provide materials at remote appointments. The materials should: ▪ Address the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, and abuse of prescription medications. ▪ Include a current list of local resources for drug or other harmful substance abuse counseling and treatment. Each local agency must have and maintain a listing of these resources in their community. ▪ A specific referral for treatment or counseling for drug or other substance abuse must be provided any time a participant or parent/caregiver is identified as abusing drugs or other harmful substances. Document referral, if given. ▪ Document education and materials were given. ▪ If substance use and/or abuse is suspected or identified at recertification, the information should be given again. A referral for treatment or counseling may also be appropriate. Guidance ▪ For participants certified remotely, options for providing the educational materials and a current listing of local resources for drug or other harmful substance abuse counseling and treatment include:

S E C T I O N 6 .4 : D R UG A ND H A RMF UL S U BS TA NC E A B US E A N D E D UC A T IO N 2 ▪ Mail the materials to the participant. ▪ Send the materials to the participant electronically, e.g., by email. ▪ Send links to the materials to the participant electronically, e.g., email or text. ▪ Educational materials that address the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and street drugs are available from MDH. ▪ Local agencies should include smoking cessation programs on the resource listing. ▪ Refer to Risk Code 372 Alcohol and Substance Use for more information on risks and implications for WIC Nutrition Services. ▪ Refer to Section 6.7 for the education requirements of the Postpartum Exit Counseling Contact, which includes discussion of the health risks associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Reference – Complete Listing of Hyperlinks Risk Code 372 Alcohol and Substance Use (https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/localagency/riskcodes/372.html) Section 6.7: Additional Nutrition Education (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/chsctns/ch6/sct n6_7.pdf) Minnesota Department of Health - WIC Program 625 Robert St N, PO BOX 64975, ST PAUL MN 55164- 0975; 1-800-657-3942, health.wic@state.mn.us, www.health.state.mn.us. To obtain this information in a different format, call: 1-800-657-3942. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.