Improving substance abuse prevention, assessment, and treatment financing for children and adolescents

The numbers of children, adolescents, and families affected by substance ab use have sharply increased since the early 1990s. The American Academy of P ediatrics recognizes the scope and urgency of this problem and has develope d this policy statement for consideration by Congress, federal and state ag encies, employers, national organizations, health care professionals, healt h insurers, managed care organizations, advocacy groups, and families.