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Validity of the CRAFFT in American-Indian and Alaska-Native Adolescents
Screening for Drug and Alcohol Risk
Native-American adolescents have previously been identified as a high-risk group for drug and alcohol use. Clinicians who work with these populations can use culturally and developmentally appropriate screening tools in deciding whether additional assessment and intervention is required. This study examined the psychometric properties of an existing adolescent screening tool called the CRAFFT. Study data were collected as part of Journeys of the Circle, a joint project of the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) and the University of Washington's Addictive Behaviors Research Center. Participants included 70 American-Indian and Alaska-Native youths between the ages of 13 and 19 recruited from public schools and SIHB outpatient clinics.
Key Findings:
- Researchers found that the screening tool had good internal consistency with this population.
- Participants who scored two or higher on the CRAFFT were more likely to have high rates of alcohol-related problems, frequent alcohol use and frequent marijuana use.
- A score of three or higher on the CRAFFT was useful for identifying adolescents with other frequent drug use besides alcohol or marijuana.