SBIRT for foster-care teenagers

Considered particularly ‘at risk’, 10-20 year-olds in foster care in the US were screened for substance use at a health check and briefly counselled or (rarely) referred for treatment. Substance use brief intervention reduced adolescent substance use for 60 days. 5-15 min brief interventions lowered alcohol, nicotine, cannabis use – but effects waned by 6 months, suggesting need for more interventions.