BASIC ASSESSMENT AND SCREENING FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE IN THE PEDIATRICIANS OFFICE

The pediatrician is in a unique relationship with infants, children, a dolescents, and their families. The opportunity to develop an approach to substance abuse prevention, education, evaluation, and referral ex ists from the perinatal period through young adulthood. This article s uggests an approach that does not require clinical expertise in chemic al dependency but only a sincere commitment to addressing the problem in the context of primary care pediatric practice. Knowledge of risk f actors, screening techniques, laboratory assessment, and community res ources facilitate this challenge.