Screening of drug use in a teenage Brazilian sample using the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI).

The Brazilian translation of the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) was applied to 213 Brazilian teenagers who were classified according to their alcohol and/or drug dependence level (DSM-III-R) as: 71 nondrug users (Group 1), 71 with light/moderate dependence (Group 2) and 71 with severe dependence (Group 3). The DUSI was applied and the absolute density in each of 10 areas was calculated. The three groups presented statistically significant differences (p < .001) in the "substance use" area, with the following values (medians +/- interquartile range): Group 1: 0+/-7; Group 2: 20+/-33 and Group 3: 80+/-33. The groups also presented significant differences in behavior pattern, social competency, family system, work adjustment, peer relationships and leisure/recreation. Other differences detected among the groups indicated an important relationship between drug use and school delay. A good Spearman rank correlation (0.86, p < .0001) was observed between Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) diagnosis and DUSI, indicating that this instrument can be useful in the screening of substance use among Brazilian teenagers.