SCREENING HIGH-RISK YOUTHS FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS - FIELD APPLICATIONIN THE USE OF THE PROBLEM-ORIENTED SCREENING INSTRUMENT FOR TEENAGERS(POSIT)

Screening data, including results of the Problem Oriented Screening In strument for Teenagers (POSIT) developed by the NIDA, on arrested yout hs processed in May 1993 at the Hillsborough County, Florida Juvenile Assessment Center are analyzed. High rates of potential psychosocial f unctioning problems were obtained. Relationships were found between th e youths' POSIT results, their dependency and delinquency referral his tories, self-reported alcohol and marijuana/hashish use and their clai med involvement in mental health or substance use treatment-for which problems they were seriously underserved. The service delivery and pol icy implications of our findings are drawn.