Screening for drug abuse in an adolescent primary health care clinic

This investigation examined the prevalence of patient indicated interest in help with drug problems. A unique feature of the investigation was brevity of the screening instrument used within an adolescent primary health care clinic. Results indicate that 25% of those adolescents who reported drug use also indicated to a health provider that they were interested in a help with drug abuse problems. This rate of service utilization is five times the national rate for drug abuse treatment. This study provides support for the approach to comprehensive health care for adolescents which includes substance abuse screening as a fundamental component of the health assessment.