Screening for Problem Substance Use in Community-Based Agencies

Abstract

Brief screening for problem substance use was conducted in a midsize Midwestern city in community-based agencies that provided a range of services. Over 3 years, 14,162 persons requesting both substance-use-specific and non-substance-use-specific services were screened with the Rapid Alcohol Problem Screen. Of all persons screened, 28% reported a positive score. The percentage of positives by agency type were reported as 83.7% for substance abuse services, 57.8% for mental health and substance abuse services, 53.6% for mental health services, 58.6% for health care, 25.7% for homeless services, 22.1% for social services, 12.8% for child welfare, and 9.5% for welfare to work agencies.

KEYWORDS:

• community-based agencies
• non-help-seeking
• problem substance use
• screening
• TANF