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 workers move individuals from welfare to work in an expedient fashion. Client alcohol and/or drug use/abuse is one barrier that may inhibit this process. The following study (N = 93) administered both the Hudson Index of Alcohol Involvement, the Hudson Index of Drug Involvement (rapid assessment instruments) and the Miller Substance Abuse Subtly Screening Inventory (SASSI) to public welfare and Child Protection system clients. Results indicated that the two rapid assessment measures strongly correlated with the advanced, commonly used SASSI measure. It is suggested that public welfare workers should institute these rapid assessment instruments at intake to screen clients for alcohol and drug use/abuse. When indicated, the client could then be referred to the appropriate agency for further assessment and treatment, to better prepare them for employment as mandated by new welfare reforms. The rapid 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.