Abstract
To identify adolescents at risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) in a primary care clinic. The validated S2BI screening tool was used to help providers identify adolescents at risk for SUDs. Positive reinforcement or education was provided based on the level of risk determined. Providers were surveyed about the tool ease and applicability of use following data collection. The incidence rate of adolescent tobacco (12.1%), alcohol (28%), and methamphetamine (9,000, two times the national average) use in South Dakota (SD) is one of the highest in the nation (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2017). Adolescent substance use can lead to brain damage, the development of SUDs, death, and increased health care costs. Adolescent alcohol use cost the United States $24 billion yearly (CDC, 2020b). A convenience sample method at a primary care clinic in Sioux Falls, SD was used, with inclusion criteria of those 12-18 years of age, English speaking, and able to read at a 5th grade level. Participating adolescents completed the S2BI screen, comprised of three to seven frequency questions about substance use. The provider interpreted the results and provided an intervention. The type of intervention was dependent on the patient’s risk level for SUD and used the open source S2BI algorithm to determine the risk level. The S2BI screening tool was able to determine the participants’ risk levels for SUD. Out of sixteen participants, one was at moderate risk and five were at low risk. The participating providers agree that this tool is easy to use, gathers valuable information about patients and would like to incorporate it into routine practice. It is important to routinely address substance use in adolescents. The participating adolescents and providers were accepting of the S2BI screening tool, it was successful in identifying the participants who were at risk for SUD, and it gained provider support and satisfaction.