Screening and Brief Advice to Reduce Adolescents' Risk of Riding With Substance-Using Drivers.

Objective: Alcohol- and drug-related car crashes are a leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. This analysis tested the effects of a computer-facilitated Screening and Brief Advice (cSBA) system for primary care on adolescents' reports of driving after drinking or drug use (driving) and riding with substance-using drivers (riding).

Method: Twelve- to 18-year-old patients (N = 2,096) at nine New England pediatric offices completed assessments only during the initial 18-month treatment-as-usual (TAU) phase.

Adolescent substance use screening in primary care: Validity of computer self-administered versus clinician-administered screening.

Background: Computer self-administration may help busy pediatricians' offices increase adolescent substance use screening rates efficiently and effectively, if proven to yield valid responses. The CRAFFT screening protocol for adolescents has demonstrated validity as an interview, but a computer self-entry approach needs validity testing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the criterion validity and time efficiency of a computerized adolescent substance use screening protocol implemented by self-administration or clinician-administration.

An electronic screen for triaging adolescent substance use by risk levels.

Importance: Screening adolescents for substance use and intervening immediately can reduce the burden of addiction and substance-related morbidity. Several screening tools have been developed to identify problem substance use for adolescents, but none have been calibrated to triage adolescents into clinically relevant risk categories to guide interventions.

Objective: To describe the psychometric properties of an electronic screen and brief assessment tool that triages adolescents into 4 actionable categories regarding their experience with nontobacco substance use.

Implementing Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Education in a Pediatric Residency Curriculum.

Background: Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is recommended as part of routine health care for adolescents as well as adults. In an effort to promote universal SBIRT, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded funding to residency programs to develop and implement SBIRT education and training. Our project focused on creating scientifically based, developmentally appropriate strategies and teaching materials for the adolescent age range.

Do risky friends change the efficacy of a primary care brief intervention for adolescent alcohol use?

Purpose: To determine if peer risk (having friends who drink or approve of drinking) modifies the effects of a computer-facilitated screening and provider brief advice (cSBA) intervention on adolescent alcohol use.

Methods: We assessed the intervention effect using logistic regression modeling with generalized estimating equations on a sample of 2,092 adolescents. Effect modification by peer risk was analyzed separately for alcohol initiation (drinking at follow-up in baseline nondrinkers) and cessation (no drinking at follow-up in baseline drinkers) by testing an interaction term (treatment condition by peer risk).

Computer-facilitated substance use screening and brief advice for teens in primary care: an international trial.

Objective: Primary care providers need effective strategies for substance use screening and brief counseling of adolescents. We examined the effects of a new computer-facilitated screening and provider brief advice (cSBA) system.

Methods: We used a quasi-experimental, asynchronous study design in which each site served as its own control.

Alcohol policy enforcement and changes in student drinking rates in a statewide public college system: a follow-up study.

Background: Heavy alcohol use among U.S. college students is a major contributor to young adult morbidity and mortality.

Primary care follow-up plans for adolescents with substance use problems.

Objective: Primary care visits provide an opportunity to screen adolescents for substance use and offer early intervention, but little is known about follow-up plans. The objective of this study was to determine recommendations by PCPs and assess the relationship between their diagnostic impressions of substance use severity and plans for intervention.

Methods: Data were collected through a prospective observational study conducted at 7 primary care practices in New England.

Adolescents' preference for substance abuse screening in primary care practice.

Objective: To assess adolescents' preferences for substance abuse screening in primary medical care settings.

Design/methods: Twelve- to 18-year-old patients (N = 2133) arriving for routine care at a network of primary care sites completed an interview that included demographic items, the CRAFFT screen, and a questionnaire assessing preferences for screening method (paper questionnaire, computer, oral interview by nurse or doctor). A subgroup (n = 222) completed the CRAFFT directly on the computer.

Prevalence of positive substance abuse screen results among adolescent primary care patients.

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of positive substance use screen results among adolescent primary care patients and to estimate the prevalence of substance-related problems and disorders.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: A network of primary care practices in New England.

The "Six T's": barriers to screening teens for substance abuse in primary care.

Purpose: To identify barriers to adolescent substance abuse screening in primary care.

Methods: Focus groups were held at six primary care sites with a total of 38 providers. Providers brainstormed a list of barriers, collectively grouped similar barriers, and voted to produce a final ranked list.

Motivational interviewing for adolescent substance use: a pilot study.

We developed and pilot tested a 2-session motivational interviewing intervention for substance use among 14- to 18-year-old medical patients. Recruitment and retention were more challenging than anticipated. A substantial number of completers reduced their use of substances and risk of driving after drinking during the 3-month follow-up period.

A review of Internet-based home drug-testing products for parents.

Objective: To review home drug-testing products and the Internet-based recommendations intended for parents.

Methods: A qualitative review of drug-testing products and structured analysis of information presented on company Internet sites were conducted. Eight Internet sites that sold home drug-testing products and contained a "parent's section" were identified by Ixquick using the search term "home drug testing.

Heavy drinking and alcohol policy enforcement in a statewide public college system.

Objective: To assess the association between heavy drinking and alcohol policy enforcement following the institution of a new system-wide alcohol policy at Massachusetts public colleges and universities.

Method: Students (N = 1,252: 59% women) at 11 study schools completed a questionnaire that assessed drinking behaviors and alcohol-associated problems. College deans and campus security officers completed questionnaires assessing policy implementation and enforcement.