Screening of substance abuse in public welfare and child protective service clients: A comparative study of rapid assessment instruments vs. the SASSI

In light of new welfare reforms, it is essential that public welfare worker s move individuals from welfare to work in an expedient fashion. Client alc ohol and/or drug use/abuse is one barrier that may inhibit this process. Th e following study (N = 93) administered both the Hudson Index of Alcohol In volvement, the Hudson Index of Drug Involvement (rapid assessment instrumen ts) and the Miller Substance Abuse Subtly Screening Inventory (SASSI) to pu blic welfare and Child Protection system clients. Results indicated that th e two rapid assessment measures strongly correlated with the advanced, comm only used SASSI measure. It is suggested that public welfare workers should institute these rapid assessment instruments at intake to screen clients f or alcohol and drug use/abuse. When indicated, the client could then be ref erred to the appropriate agency for further. assessment and treatment, to b etter prepare them for employment as mandated by new welfare reforms. The r apid assessment instruments were found to be shorter than the SASSI, easily administered, and able to detect alcohol and/or drug use/abuse effectively and efficiently in these populations.