ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses ideas relevant to primary care which can be adapted within their practice to facilitate their professional development in the field of substance misuse. Primary care is the melting pot for innovation and organisational experimentation. The development of local services for substance misusers depends upon individuals prepared to challenge the status quo in their own practice environment and to embrace change as an opportunity to provide something new that doesn't exist. Once nurses have completed the experiential and evidenced learning, evidence shows they are most adept at transferring their knowledge into practice. Nurses are the most likely team members to have already put effective audit into practice in other areas such as diabetic, hypertensive and asthma management. Delegation in primary care is common practice. Policies and protocols of robust and utilitarian quality can be developed, thus facilitating effective change and new practical innovation.
