ABSTRACT
Alcohol and other drug involvement by youth remains a critical and prevalent health problem in America, despite laws against underage use of legal and illicit drugs. Drug use by children and adolescents can lead to a variety of negative consequences for youth, including the persistence of critical consequences on psychosocial functioning and health in adulthood. While the majority of adolescents who use drugs do not progress to a substance use disorder (Newcomb & Richardson,1995), early use is associated with a much greater likelihood of developing an abuse or dependence disorder either later during youth or as an adult (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration [SAMHSA], 2004). Accurate screening and assessment of drug behaviors in adolescents is vital to meet the clinical challenge of identifying youth that may merit some type of intervention and for those that do, to assist with treatment planning.
