Teen alcohol and drug disorders more common than previous...( ht and his co-authors believe that anot...)

ht and his co-authors believe that another important benefit of the CRAFFT tool is that it probes into the incidence of driving or riding in a car while under the influence. This is critical, he said, because automobile accidents are the leading cause of death in teens and substance abuse plays a major role in these crashes. "Our findings show that 43 percent of the teens surveyed answered that they have been in cars when the driver was high or had been using drugs or alcohol. A 'yes' answer to this question is a tremendous cause for concern and warrants immediate further discussion by the professional administering the CRAFFT test."

In the CRAFFT study, researchers interviewed 538 teens arriving for routine health care at the Adolescent/Young Adult Medical Clinic at Children's Hospital Boston between March 15, 1999 and Sept.12, 2000. This practice serves both inner-city and suburban youth from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, racial groups and social strata. Knight said the findings of this study are applicable to the population at large and particularly important in light of the fact that substance abuse is the number one health problem in the U.S., with an estimated annual cost of over $414 billion. It affects men and women of all races, ethnic groups and ages - including adolescents.

Alcohol is the drug of choice for America's youth, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which provided funding for the CRAFFT study. "Rapid screening in primary care settings can identify adolescents who would benefit from brief intervention for alcohol problems, treatment for alcohol disorders, and even reduced exposure to drinking-driving, a major cause of adolescent death. The CRAFFT tool is a valuable contribution to public health among our nation's adolescents and future adults," said Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D., Acting Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Charles G. Curie, Administrator of
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Contact: Susan Craig
susan.craig@tch.harvard.edu
617-355-6420
Children's Hospital Boston
13-Jun-2002

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