Bank of instruments of evaluation of DDR

Drug Abuse Screening Test

Dimension: Case detection

Area

Screening

Specificity

Illegal Drugs

Year

1982

Author

Skinner, H. A. , Adaption of Fuentes and Villalpando, 2001

Identification and Classification

Instrument
Drug Abuse Screening Test
Acronym
DAST
Area
Screening
Dimension
Case detection
Specificity
Illegal Drugs
Objective
To measure the perception that the individual has towards the consequences that his/her drug use is causing.
Factors it measures

Problems associated with use

Year
1982
Author
Skinner, H. A. , Adaption of Fuentes and Villalpando, 2001
Availability
Available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index3618EN.html
Link

Description

Abstract

Self-report comprised of 20 questions with dichotomous answers. It provides a quantitative range index of problems associated with drug abuse.

Psychometric characteristics

The psychometric analysis was conducted with 256 subjects who sought treatment for problems related to drug use. Reported reliability indices have varied from .95 to .86 for alcohol and drug users. In studies of factor analysis two to five components that account for more than 50% of the total variance have been found .

No. of items
20
Way of administration

The DAST 20 can be administered either as an interview and in self-administration format. It should not be administered to patients who are under the influence of drugs. It may be answered in five minutes in pen and paper test format .

Way of qualification

It investigates five dimensions. Drug dependence, social problems, medical problems, poly-drug use, seeking help. To grade it the questions answered in the critical direction are summed , ie, the items 4 and 5 answered negatively score one point, and the others answered positively score one point. the total score is the sum of the 20 items. A score of zero, indicates no problems related to drugs; 1 to 5, low level; 6 to 10, moderate; 11 to 15, substantial level; 16 to 20, severe level.

Application context
Primary care clinics
Population
Adults
References

Gavin, D.R., Ross, H.E., Skinner, H.A. Diagnostic Validity of the Drug Abuse Screening Test in the Assessment of DSM-III Drug Disorders. British Journal of The Addiction, 84, 301-307, 1989.