Haw. Code R. § 11-177.1-33 - Code of ethics

(a) All substance abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, criminal justice addictions professionals, and co-occurring disorders professionals diplomate certified under subchapter 2 shall adhere to the following ethical principles adapted from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Ethical Standards of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors:

(1) Principle 1: Non-Discrimination. The substance abuse counselor shall not discriminate against clients or professionals based on race, religion, age, gender, disability, national ancestry, sexual orientation or economic condition.

(2) Principle 2: Responsibility. The substance abuse counselor shall espouse objectivity and integrity, and maintain the highest standards in the services the counselor offers.

(3) Principle 3: Competence. The substance abuse Counselor shall recognize that the profession is founded on national standards of competency which promote the best interests of society, of the client, of the counselor and of the profession as a whole. The substance abuse counselor shall recognize the need for ongoing education as a component of professional competency.

(4) Principle 4: Legal and Moral Standards. The substance abuse counselor shall uphold the legal and accepted moral codes which pertain to professional conduct.

(5) Principle 5: Public Statements. The substance abuse counselor shall honestly respect the limits of present knowledge in public statements concerning alcoholism and drug abuse.

(6) Principle 6: Publication Credit. The substance abuse counselor shall assign credit to all who have contributed to the published material and for the work upon which the publication is based.

(7) Principle 7: Client Welfare. The substance abuse counselor shall promote the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, and the best interest of the client as a primary guide in determining the conduct of all substance abuse counselors.

(8) Principle 8: Confidentiality. The substance abuse counselor working in the best interest of the client shall embrace, as a primary obligation, the duty of protecting client's rights under confidentiality and shall not disclose confidential information acquired in teaching, practice, or investigation without appropriately executed consent.

(9) Principle 9: Client Relationships. The substance abuse counselor shall safeguard the integrity of the counseling relationship and ensure that the client has reasonable access to effective treatment. The substance abuse counselor shall provide the client and the client's guardian, where applicable, with accurate and complete information regarding the extent of the potential professional relationship.

(10) Principle 10: Interprofessional Relationships. The substance abuse counselor shall treat colleagues and other professionals with respect, courtesy, fairness, and good faith.

(11) Principle 11: Remuneration. The substance abuse counselor shall establish financial arrangements in professional practice in accord with professional standards that safeguard the best interests of the client first, and then of the counselor, the agency, and the profession.

(12) Principle 12: Societal Obligations. The substance abuse counselor shall to the best of his or her ability actively engage the legislative processes, educational institutions, and the general public to make possible opportunities and services for all human beings of any ethnic or social background whose lives are impaired by alcoholism and drug abuse.

(b) All prevention specialists certified under subchapter 2 of these rules shall adhere to the following ethical principles adapted from the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium.

(1) Non-Discrimination. Prevention specialists shall not discriminate against service recipients or colleagues based on race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, economic condition, or physical, medical, or mental disability. Prevention specialists should broaden the specialist's understanding and acceptance of cultural and individual differences, and in so doing, render services and provide information sensitive to those differences;

(2) Competence. A Prevention specialist shall adhere to the profession's technical and ethical standards, strive continually to improve personal competence and quality of service delivery, and discharge professional responsibility to the best of the specialist's ability. Competence is derived from a synthesis of education and experience; and begins with the mastery of a body of knowledge and skill competencies. The maintenance of competence requires a commitment to learning and professional improvement that must continue throughout the specialist's life;

(3) Integrity. To maintain and broaden public confidence, prevention specialists should perform all professional responsibilities with the highest sense of integrity. Personal gain and advantage should not subordinate service and the public trust. Integrity can accommodate the inadvertent error and the honest difference of opinion. It cannot accommodate deceit or subordination of principle;

(4) Nature of Services. Practices shall do no harm to service recipients. Services provided by prevention specialists shall be respectful and non-exploitive;

(5) Confidentiality. Confidential information acquired during service delivery shall be safeguarded from disclosure, including but not limited to, verbal disclosure, unsecured maintenance of records, or recording of an activity or presentation without appropriate releases. A prevention specialist is responsible for knowing the confidentiality regulations relevant to the specialist's prevention specialty;

(6) Ethical Obligations for Community and Society. According to the specialist's conscience, a prevention specialist should be proactive on public policy and legislative issues. The public welfare and the individual's right to services and personal wellness should guide the efforts of prevention specialists to educate the general public and policy makers. Prevention specialists should adopt a personal and professional stance that promotes health.

Notes

Haw. Code R. § 11-177.1-33

[Eff 6/04/01; am and comp DEC 16 2010] (Auth: HRS § 321-196) (Imp: HRS § 321-193)