Adolescent substance abuse: prevalence, assessment, prevention, and treatment

Substance abuse continues to be a major problem in the preadolescent and adolescent age groups. Although some progress appears to have occurred in recent years, prevalence of alcohol and other drugs requires constant vigilance. This article reports current statistics of alcohol and drug use in the adolescent population. The NP's role as a health care provider for adolescents relative to screening, assessment, prevention, treatment, and referral for substance abuse is emphasized.