Feasibility and acceptability of a mental health screening tool and training programme in the youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector.

The high prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in young people is well established. Despite this, there are low rates of detection of co-occurring disorders across alcohol and other drug (AOD) services within Australia. This paper describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a mental health screening tool and training programme within the youth AOD sector.

The impact of co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders among substance-abusing youth.

Background: Co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent amongst substance-using young adolescents, and have been associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Few studies however have examined the impact of affective disorders in samples of older adolescents and young adults attending youth drug treatment services.

Methods: One hundred young people (mean age 19.

An accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule for young drug users.

Objective: To determine completion rates for an accelerated hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) program among a population of young drug users.

Design: Between January 2001 and May 2002, a three-dose course of HBV vaccine (0, 7 and 21 days) was offered free to all drug users (aged 22 years or younger) accessing two outreach sites of a youth-focused support and drug treatment service in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Clients were offered vaccination in any safe environment of their choice.