Screening and brief intervention tools
Alcohol and other drug screening tools are typically used to identify people with apparent drug problems. The screen can indicate the severity of those difficulties and point to a need for further assessment or facilitate referral to professional treatment services.
Screening can serve a less clinical purpose aimed at identifying concerns people may have in regard to their substance use. It invites a conversation with them around what they might do to alleviate those concerns. How can they manage their use in ways that enhance their well-being, maximizing benefits and minimizing risk for harm? When encouraged in their own agency, people will often make positive changes without the need for more intensive, extensive and expensive healthcare services. (At any point in a screening/self-exploration exercise, participants may be helped to seek or access professional services should they desire them.)
Individuals can use self-administered screening tools to assess their own alcohol or other drug use. Personnel in various settings can offer screening as a "doorway to conversation" with students, patients, clients or community members.
Reality check
View our reality check info card.
Checking in on alcohol
Six questions invite a person (age 13+) to reflect and report on their experience around alcohol use. That self-report provides content for a conversation with a debrief facilitator (and/or others) about impact of consumption on the respondent’s wellbeing and relationships, as well as changes they may wish to make.
Checking in on cannabis
Six questions invite a person (age 13+) to reflect and report on their experience around cannabis use. That self-report provides content for a conversation with a debrief facilitator (and/or others) about impact of consumption on the respondent’s wellbeing and relationships, as well as changes they may wish to make.
Substance use and harms screen
This screen is designed for young people (up to age 24) who are using alcohol or other drugs. Rather than focusing on the use, it provides an opportunity to reflect and report on potential adverse impact of that use. That self-report provides subject matter for a conversation with a debrief facilitator (and/or others) around those outcomes and changes the respondent may wish to make.
- Substance use and harms screen (questionnaire)
- Substance use and harms screen (debrief facilitator guide)
Art of motivation
This resource was designed to help school professionals engage in meaningful conversations with young people about their alcohol or other drug use. It applies the principles of motivational interviewing and incorporates screening as one tool among many that the professional (or any caring adult) can use to promote dialogue, reflection and action.
AME (awareness, motivation, engagement)
This resource for youth probation officers uses the principles of motivational interviewing to help correctional staff encourage positive behaviour change. Screening and other tools are offered as "doorways to conversation" rather than as assessment and accountability mechanisms. Reviews of the program have provided positive results.