Introducing Screening Tools

Introduction

This topic describes three screening tools probation officers conduct with offenders during the short and full pre-sentence assessment interviews.

The responsivity screening tools form three individual questionnaires:

• the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
• the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and
• the Problem Gambling Severity Index, known as the NINE.

Purpose

Undertaking the AUDIT, DAST and NINE will allow for the identification and treatment of all offenders with problem alcohol, other drug or gambling needs.

Using the tools

The probation officer places the questionnaires in front of the offender and reads aloud the information, recording the offender's response.

To avoid altering the meaning of the questions, probation officers should ask the questions in the prescribed format. Only re-word the introduction or individual questions when it is clear that the offender does not understand.

The questions for the AUDIT, DAST and NINE are for the 12 months prior to the interview, irrespective of whether the offender has been in custody for all or some of this time.

The screening tools can be used by CPPS and Prison Services (PS) staff throughout any part of the management of an offender's sentence.

The scores

Each questionnaire will have a total score that determines the offender's level of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and problem gambling.

Notes:

• Do not refer to the results in the pre-sentence report unless they are directly relevant to the offending or assessment of any rehabilitative need.
• The scores should not be used in the report. The offender should instead be described as having a harmful pattern of alcohol or drug use (if applicable). If problem gambling is indicated, use the description contained in one of the four classification categories.

AUDIT

For the AUDIT a harmful pattern of drinking is indicated by:

• a total of 8 or more for men, and
• a total of 7 or more for women.

DAST

For the DAST a total score of 3 or more indicates a harmful pattern of drug use.

Note: Offenders who score 1 or 2 are asked to complete further questions that focus on the nature and frequency of their drug use.

NINE

For the NINE the four classification categories are:

• non-problem gambler (score 0)
• low risk gambler (score 1-2)
• moderate risk gambler (score 3-7), and
• problem gambler (score 8 up to 27).

Note: A score of 3 or more warrants referral for treatment.