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Erika M. Edwards, Boston University School of Public Health, Join Together, 1 Appleton Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02116 and Sarah Witham, Join Together, Boston University School of Public Health, 1 Appleton St, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02116, (617) 437-1500, sarahW@jointogether.org.
Screening and brief intervention (SBI) are cost-effective ways of reducing harm caused by substance use disorders. Health care professionals are increasingly adopting and incorporating these practices into medical care.
Additionally, people in community-based coalitions are learning that doing SBI can reduce strains on the specialty treatment and health care system, by catching substance use problems before they require significant resources; and increase demand, by steering needs assessments.
As a result, coalitions are developing ways to screen and do brief interventions throughout their communities. In just four examples:
- a Louisville, KY, team uses recovery advocates to intervene with emergency care patients;
- coalitions in Bozeman, MT, and Pittsburgh, PA trained clergy members to do SBI;
- a Milwaukee, WI, group trained public health nurses, and is screening people who call a community helpline.
This presentation will explain the role of screening and brief intervention in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, and will describe the practical creation of unique community-based SBI practices. When available, the presentation will also provide data on the number of completed screens, brief interventions, and referrals to treatment.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.