Abstract
The aim of this study was to highlight employees' experiences of interaction about persons who for some reason have come into contact with the treatment of youth and/or substance abuse care in Sweden and Norway. Differences between ownership and regulation in Sweden and Norway on cooperation in drug treatment are discussed.
The study was conducted using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews with employees in operations involved with adults and adolescents and their families. As the study was small in scope, four respondents in four operations in three counties, it is not possible to draw any general conclusions. However there was found in the interviews, supported from literature, important prerequisites for collaboration concerning youth with substance abuse problems is to have good understanding of and respect for other professions. The need of having an understanding of each other's knowledge, decisions skills, flexibility and the resources available in the operations has also emerged. There is an ambition to get synergy in work but there are parts of the law preventing cooperating. Another preventing factor is that several actors often are involved around the person who seeks help.