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Dr. Stephen Chapman, MD of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth talks to one of his patients.

Dr. Stephen Chapman, MD of the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth talks to one of his patients.

Can we talk?

Regular visits with doctors can keep teens off drugs and alcohol

By Lois R. Shea, Senior Writer and Communications Officer  |  

New Hampshire kids are talking to their doctors about substance use. And that’s a really good thing. More than ever before, kids are getting screened for substance use in medical settings in a way that is consistent and effective.

The evidence-based “screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment” (SBIRT) protocol has been implemented in 23 medical facilities across the state with help from the Charitable Foundation and a $2.25 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. More than 10,000 young people are projected to receive the screening by mid-2017.

Watch the video below about why SBIRT is working, and how it helps kids and their doctors have the conversations about substance use that keep kids healthy and ultimately save lives.

To learn more about Screen & Intervene, a New Hampshire Youth SBIRT initiative, visit www.sbirtnh.org. And, to learn more about our investments in substance use prevention, treatment and recovery, visit www.nhcf.org/sud.


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