More teens test positive for drugs, alcohol at sick care visits
November 19th, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Physicians may need to screen 12- to 18-year-olds for possible drug and alcohol abuse issues any time they present for care and not just at checkups, as recommended by many medical societies, including the American Medical Association. This concept was the take-home message of a study in the November Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Still, many physicians agree that although the reasons supporting such screening are clear, implementing it is easier said than done.