T ‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌he Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a structured interview used as an assessment tool for clients presenting with addiction-related issues. The ASI has clear reliability and validity ratings, thus lending enhanced credibility when coordinating with other treatment parties and legal entities. Available in the public domain, the ASI can be used by non-specialists or persons in remote areas who may have difficulty accessing other tools. The ASI lends itself to being used in conjunction with other tests as well, which allows the clinician to bring the AUDIT, CAGE, and DAST into the interview process. A clinician needs to be familiar with how the structured interview process of the ASI works prior to administering the ASI with a client. In particular, the clinician may want to follow the guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (US govt), in adapting the ASI for use with various socio-cultural groups. In this assignment, you will prepare a training workbook on the use of the ASI. The workbook will instruct community health centre workers how to use the ASI, and how to adapt it for use with a diverse group. You may instruct the trainees on using the ASI with a Native American population (as illustrated in the SAMSHA document) or with any other diverse group that you may be sufficiently familiar with. In your training presentation, include the following information:

• A brief description of the ASI, its functions and purposes

• The role of the interviewer in using the ASI

• The meaning and process of “severity ratings” in the ASI

• What needs to be retained in any adaptation of the ASI and what can be changed

• Where any additional information should be appended

• Discuss the unique effectives of the ASI in a community clinic setting as compared to a private practice setting You may use graphs or charts to illustrate your training workbook. Be sure to appropriately cite sources and include a reference list at the end of the workbook, including at least three readings not cited ‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍ in your workbook.