Improving the sensitivity of needs assessment for substance abuse prevention planning: the measurement of differential severity of consequences for individual substance types.
There is an absence of systematic, comparative research examining the negative consequences that are experienced as a result of using specific substances. Further, techniques typically used for needs assessment (i.e., prevalence proportions) do not take into account the probability of experiencing a negative consequence as a result of using specific substances. An approximated severity index is proposed that: a) takes into account the probability of experiencing negative consequences as a result of using specific substances; and b) is comparable across substances. Data from the NSDUH and the ADSS are used to demonstrate these techniques. The findings suggest that substances typically considered priorities based on prevalence proportions are not the same substances that have a high probability of causing negative consequences. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation-Louisville Center, Kentucky 40208, USA. sshamblen@pire.org
Stephen R
SR
Shamblen
J Fred
JF
Springer
D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D013287:Illicit Drugs