What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of pediatric surgery on September 17, 2026.

Few injured teens with positive screens received substance-use referrals

Q: What did this research study find?

Among **683 injured adolescents**, **63.4%** received substance-use screening, indicating that screening was not universal in this trauma-center cohort.

Factors Associated with Referrals After Substance Use Screening in Adolescent Trauma Patients.

Journal of pediatric surgery • September 17, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This retrospective cohort study examined which factors were associated with referrals to substance-use support services among 683 injured adolescents aged 12–17 treated at a level I pediatric trauma center between January 2021 and June 2024. Screening involved urine toxicology, blood alcohol testing, and/or a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment assessment. Of the adolescents, 434 (63.4%) were screened, and 88 (20.3%) of those screened had at least one positive result, including for cannabis or alcohol.

Referral was uncommon: only 32 (36.4%) adolescents with a positive screen had a documented referral. Cannabis and alcohol findings were associated with referral in initial analyses, but after adjustment, a positive alcohol test was the only factor significantly associated with higher referral odds (AOR 4.14; 95% CI 1.49–11.53). Demographic and injury-related characteristics were not associated with referral. The study is observational and retrospective, so it cannot establish that alcohol exposure caused referral, determine whether referrals were completed or effective, or assess the health effects of cannabis use. This is an abstract-based summary and does not substitute for review of the full text.

💡 Key Findings

Among 683 injured adolescents, 63.4% received substance-use screening, indicating that screening was not universal in this trauma-center cohort.

High

90%

Of adolescents with a positive screen, only 36.4% had a documented referral to substance-use support services.

High

90%

A positive alcohol test was associated with higher odds of referral after adjustment (AOR 4.14; 95% CI 1.49–11.53); this is an association, not evidence that alcohol exposure caused referral.

High

85%

Cannabis and alcohol use were associated with referral in bivariate analyses, but the adjusted analysis identified only positive alcohol testing as significantly associated with referral.

Good

75%

📄 Original Abstract

PURPOSE: Substance use screening for injured adolescents is recommended but not required by the American College of Surgeons and little is known about referral for substance use support services. This study aimed to identify factors associated with referral to substance use support services among injured adolescents. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined injured adolescents 12-17y at a level I pediatric trauma center from January 2021-June 2024. Sociodemographic and clinical data were abstracted from electronic medical record and trauma registry. Screening included receipt of biochemical tests (urine toxicology and blood alcohol test) and receipt of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Factors associated with referral after positive screening were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Of 683 injured adolescents, 434 (63.4%) underwent substance use screening and 88 (20.3%) had at least one positive substance use screening result. Only 32 (36.4%) adolescents with positive screening results had a documented referral to substance use support services. In bivariate analysis, cannabis and alcohol use were significantly associated with referrals (p<0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, positive alcohol test was significantly associated with higher odds of referral (AOR 4.14, 95% CI: 1.49-11.53), whereas demographic or injury-related characteristics were not. CONCLUSION: Substance use screening among injured adolescents remains underutilized. Referral for treatment remains infrequent, even for those with a positive drug screen. These findings highlight a critical gap in connecting the high-risk injured adolescents to appropriate treatment and support services. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV STUDY TYPE: Retrospective cohort.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery
Published: September 17, 2026
PMID: 42754008
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.163461

Authors (11)

Jenna S Lee Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd MS#100, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Electronic address: jsl263@rwjms.rutgers.edu.
Ryan G Spurrier Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd MS#100, Los Angeles, CA 90027; Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Shadassa Ourshalimian Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd MS#100, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Jordan M Rook Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, 10833 Le Conte Ave 77-123 CHS, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095; Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, 16-035 Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Rabab Barq Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Broad Street, 16(th) floor, West Wing Box 980645, Richmond, VA 23298.
+6 more authors