Bottom Line: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for unhealthy drug use in adults 18 or older by asking questions about such use when services for diagnosis, treatment, and care can be offered or referred. Unhealthy drug use includes using illegal drugs or using a prescription drug in ways that are not recommended by a doctor. The USPSTF routinely makes recommendations about the effectiveness of preventive care services and this is a new recommendation, replacing the 2008 statement that found insufficient evidence at the time. Evidence continues to be insufficient regarding screening for unhealthy drug use in adolescents. Drug use is one of the most common causes of preventable death, injuries and disability. In 2017, unhealthy drug use caused more than 70,000 fatal overdoses.
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(doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8020)
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Note: More information about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, its process, and its recommendations can be found on the newsroom page of its website.