With the publication of the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy (Department of Health, 2012) and the Guiding Framework for Education and Training in Screening and Brief Intervention for Problem Alcohol Use (Armstrong et al., 2011), an integrated approach to problem alcohol and substance use was envisaged. It is anticipated that the forthcoming National Drugs Strategy will emphasise the importance of providing training to enable the delivery of Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) and onward referral in line with national SBI protocols for problem substance use in a range of settings. the Guiding Framework for

Education and Training in Screening and Brief Intervention for Problem Alcohol Use (Armstrong et al., 2011) was published by the Health Service Executive (HSE) National SBI Project and the Office of the Nursing and midwifery Services Director (ONmSD) to provide a standardised approach to the education and training of nurses, midwives and allied health and social care professionals who undertake SBI. the current HSE education and training programme utilises the SAOR model: Screening and Brief intervention for Problem Alcohol Use in the Emergency Department and Acute care settings (O’Shea and Goff, 2009). Since 2012, HSE SBI training and protocols have combined problem alcohol and substance use. this publication both draws from and adds to the significant evidence and policy base that exists for SBI.