SBIRT – a tool A Preventive Approach to Address Youth Substance Use Presented by Dawn A. Randolph, MPA Public Policy Consultant, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Presented to the House Study Committee on Childrens Mental Health - HR 641 Chaired by Representative Katie Dempsey

Incident of Substance Abuse Disorders The Need “Untreated” Abuse/Dependent ~ 25 million = 8% “Harmful Users” ~60,000,000 Abstinent & Non-Problem Users ~ 83% 2008 National Survey on Drug Use & Health US Population = 309,800,000

The Need - Prevention A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use The Need: Every kid and teenager in Georgia deserves a shot at a great future. Too often, that future is put in jeopardy when we miss opportunities to identify and treat early alcohol and drug misuse. One in 7 (40 million) Americans over the age of 12 have a substance use disorder. That’s more than have heart conditions (27 million), diabetes (26 million) and cancer (19 million). One-third of all inpatient hospital costs are linked to addiction and risky substance use. 9 out of 10 people with addiction started using substances before they turned 18. People with drug dependence die an average of 22.5 years sooner than those without a diagnosis.

The Need – Substances impacts young brains Young brains are vulnerable – prevention and early intervention is key 90% of adult Americans with a substance use disorder began smoking, drinking or using other drugs before they were 18 and half before they were 15. Nearly one out of every five high school students in Georgia reported drinking more than just a few sips of alcohol before they were 13. Adults should begin talking to kids about drugs and alcohol when they start using them, not years down the line. Heroin use among teens and young adults in Georgia is on the rise. We need to have thoughtful, honest conversations with teens and young adults to prevent heroin addictions and deaths.

The Need: The Need

The Need – Joining together GCSA & GHF Team-up What We Are Doing: Georgians for a Healthy Future and the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse have joined together to make sure that substance abuse prevention services are widely available to kids, teens and young adults in our state We have brought together a public health approach uniting young people, families, communities and professionals to develop an implement a comprehensive strategy. We are addressing and breaking down barriers to both celebrate the good things youth are doing while providing support to those who are engaging in risky behavior. Public Health, Medicaid and schools are important entrees in the provider network to reaching all kids.

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use S BIRT Multi-Dimensional Screening  Substance Abuse Severity  Depression  Anxiety  ADHD  School  Peers  Legal Source: Ken Winters, Ph.D., Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Minnesota, July 17, 2014

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use Source: Ken Winters, Ph.D., Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Minnesota, July 17, 2014 S BI RT Common elements of Brief Intervention  Negotiated goals  Motivational interviewing  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use Source: Ken Winters, Ph.D., Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Minnesota, July 17, 2014 SBI RT Referral to Treatment Favorable outcome Minimal/no change Problem worsens Multi-screen red flags Support Recovery Conduct booster or refer to more services Refer to more services Refer more assessment

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use 13 years of training projects >2,600 students/residents & 118 faculty in medicine, nursing and PA programs across Georgia & nearby states Follow-up interviews indicate these trainees use SBI after graduation  Opportunities to accelerate use of this important preventive service by “turning on” and funding SBIRT codes Georgia Workforce Poised for SBIRT Dissemination

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use Source: Georgia Basics Final Report SBIRT Patients Decreased Substance Use Baseline to 6-month Follow-up

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use Source: Georgia Basics Final Report Greater Decreases in Binge Drinking for SBIRT vs. Control Patients

How We Do It A Public Health Approach to Prevent Problem Substance Use Source: Georgia Basics Final Report Mental Health Improvements in Quality of Life

Our Vision – Let’s Do This! Healthy Future for All Now that you know what SBIRT is, let’s examine how it helps. Screening is a key step in preventing young people from misusing drugs and alcohol. Identifying young people who use alcohol, drugs or both is a very important first step in preventing their misuse. In fact, studies show simply asking young people about drugs and alcohol can lead to positive behavioral change. Brief Interventions – just a few minutes of counseling – reduce alcohol problems in people 18 and older. Studies demonstrate that these short counseling sessions, conducted in all types of settings from emergency departments, to trauma centers, to doctor’s offices, cut the number of drinks consumed.

Our Vision – Let’s Do This! Healthy Future for All Now that you know what SBIRT is, let’s examine how it helps. In young people, brief interventions reduce alcohol misuse. There is a growing body of research supporting the use of brief interventions in schools, primary care offices and hospital emergency departments to address alcohol use among young people. Young people respond to counseling by drinking less often and reducing the number of drinks consumed at one time. Brief interventions help college students cut back their drinking by an average of six drinks per week. Brief interventions also ease alcohol-related consequences. In one study of teens ages 14-18, brief counseling led to a 30 percent reduction in alcohol consequences, such as skipping school or fighting with friends and family because of alcohol.

Our Vision – Let’s Do This! Healthy Future for All Now that you know what SBIRT is, let’s examine how it helps. Brief interventions can help curb drug use among young people. Recent studies show brief interventions delivered in a primary care office, emergency department, or school setting reduce marijuana use among adolescents. In one study, short counseling sessions led young people ages to use marijuana four fewer days per month. SBIRT Saves Lives and Cuts Costs Study after study proves that for every dollar invested into substance abuse treatment $4 is saved in healthcare related costs and $7 in law enforcement and criminal justice costs.

Our Vision – Let’s Fund It Prevention & Early Intervention = Healthy Futures Policy Recommendation – encourage and incentivize greater use of SBIRT Activate Medicaid Codes for SBIRT More than half of Georgia’s youth are enrolled in Medicaid & PeachCare SBIRT reimbursement codes exist for Medicare, most private insurance plans and Medicaid Medicaid Codes must be active for providers to utilize for billing Georgia is only one of 12 states whose Medicaid Codes are not active - See map on Page 15 of Policy Brief.

Our Vision – Let’s Fund It Prevention & Early Intervention = Healthy Futures Policy Recommendation – Steps to SBIRT go live Step 1 – Identify Billing Codes  CPT Codes in minute increments for screening & brief intervention minutes or greater for screening & brief intervention Source: SAMHSA Step 2 – Define providers  Authorize the set of providers listed under Medicare guidelines to bill for SBIRT services in Medicaid Plan, with a view toward including additional providers in the future.

Our Vision – Let’s Support It Prevention & Early Intervention = Healthy Futures Policy Recommendation – Steps to SBIRT go live Step 3 – Define delivery settings  Authorize SBIRT services in emergency departments, primary care offices and school settings. This is where the kids are… Step 4 – Define age to begin screening  Provide SBIRT coverage for individuals age 12 and older. This is when data show kids start using

Thank YOU! A Preventive Approach to Address Youth Substance Use