HHSA Conducting Alcohol and Drug Screenings at Hospitals

$7 Million Project is One of Two in California , One of Thirteen in Nation

SAN DIEGO – (Wednesday, October 3, 2007) — New alcohol and drug screenings at local hospitals and trauma centers are available thanks to the County of San Diego HHSA (Health and Human Services Agency). The screenings are voluntary and strictly confidential.

Officials gathered outside Scripps Mercy hospital to highlight the goals of the California Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (CASBIRT) project, which intervenes with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.

“This is a cutting-edge program that is helping to reduce the economic and health impact that substance use is having in our communities,” said County of San Diego Supervisor Dianne Jacob , District 2. “We want people to be aware that these screenings are available. Our goal is to encourage people to seek treatment but they are, in no way, mandated to do so.”

The County of San Diego is one of two regions in California where the CASBIRT program, funded by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, is taking place. Ten other states also received funding.

Scripps Mercy Hospital and the UCSD Medical Center are the only two facilities where the voluntary screenings are currently taking place. More than 2,600 patients have been screened by 11 bilingual health educators since the program began in June 2007.

HHSA's Alcohol and Drug Services division (ADS) will receive $7.7 million for services. ADS subcontracts with the San Diego State University Research Foundation—Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies and Services to administer the program and plans to expand the program to 12 sites in the County.

“This is a best-practices model that we hope to see replicated and become standard at facilities across the state and the county,” said Dr. Jennifer Schaffer, Director for HHSA's Behavioral Health Services.

“Scripps Mercy is proud to have been among the first San Diego hospitals to participate in the CASBIRT Program and that our staff's work in this area has helped shape public policy to address substance abuse treatment across the state,” said Chris Van Gorder, President and CEO, Scripps Health.

Through the CASBIRT screenings, health educators quickly assess the severity of substance use and identify the appropriate level of treatment; provide a brief intervention that focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change; and offer referral to treatment to patients with more severe substance use.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 81 areas, master's degrees in 73 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU's approximately 35,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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