Abstract
Youth with learning and behavioral problems are at elevated risk for substance use during adolescence. Although evidence-based
substance use prevention and screening practices are described in the literature, the extent with which these are provided
to these youth is unclear. Mental health professionals in schools and community mental health centers are in an ideal position
to conduct substance use screening and prevention practices since they have frequent contact with this high risk group. In
order to determine whether these mental health professionals were using evidence based substance use screening and prevention
programs with these youth, we analyzed 345 completed surveys from mental health professionals in schools and community clinics
throughout a mid-Atlantic state. Results indicated that a large portion of the respondents were unfamiliar with evidence based
practices and they were infrequently used. Implications for the division of labor at schools and community mental health centers
are discussed in relation to time allotment and priority for these procedures.
substance use prevention and screening practices are described in the literature, the extent with which these are provided
to these youth is unclear. Mental health professionals in schools and community mental health centers are in an ideal position
to conduct substance use screening and prevention practices since they have frequent contact with this high risk group. In
order to determine whether these mental health professionals were using evidence based substance use screening and prevention
programs with these youth, we analyzed 345 completed surveys from mental health professionals in schools and community clinics
throughout a mid-Atlantic state. Results indicated that a large portion of the respondents were unfamiliar with evidence based
practices and they were infrequently used. Implications for the division of labor at schools and community mental health centers
are discussed in relation to time allotment and priority for these procedures.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10488-012-0422-z
- Authors
- Steven W. Evans, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- J. Randy Koch, Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Christine Brady, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Peggy Meszaros, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Joanna Sadler, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Journal Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Online ISSN 1573-3289
- Print ISSN 0894-587X