On the construction of a relative needs assessment scale.
The Social Dysfunction Scale, originally framed by Simeone et al., is a major first step in the introduction of objectivity to a complex subject often guided by political concerns rather than empirical findings. However, it is too heavily influenced by population sizes of the geographic units. The Relative Needs Assessment Scale proposed here is more flexible and corrects that problem by using weights that set a balance between the burden of the substance use(r) problem and the size of the "population at risk" in the geographic unit. Assuming that a fairly good mix of indicators is identified for substance use(r) problems, the alternative scale provides a better estimate of relative needs for resources.
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Division of Addiction Services, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton 08625-0362, USA.
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D000850:Anomie; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*