by B. Ann Patterson

Created on: June 14, 2010   Last Updated: June 18, 2010

Unfortunately, young substance abusers are not adequately served by the health care system because young abusers successfully avoid contact with the health care system.  How can any unhealthy person be served in the health care system if they do not seek any care? 

The young substance abusers who roam the streets of towns across America, and perhaps the whole world, are not seen by health care personnel unless they enter a medical center Emergency Room.  Even then, they do not want to be told what they should do about their substance abuse.  They want instant medical attention for the specific purpose that they have presented themselves.  While I do not know the statistics regarding the percentage of substance abusers under 18 who go to emergency rooms for medical care, I know that young people in general prefer not to visit a physician, psychiatrist, surgeon, dentist or even a nurse.  Those who use illegal substances certainly do not want to visit anyone in the medical care system except for removal of a loose tooth or the lancing of an abcess caused by dirty needles and body abuse.  Even then, they definitely do not want anyone to ask about their lifestyle.

Social services in various towns take surveys of the homeless people wherever they can find them.  To conduct their survey in areas of Portland, Oregon, they went to the vacant lots, along the river, in alleys, behind abandoned buildings, at hangouts along the streets where they spend most of their days and in other unhabitable locations.  They specifically asked about medical and health care needs.  The problem was, there was never any evidence that anything was done to follow-up and provide any of the care nor transportation to locations where their medical and health care needs could be met. 

Perhaps those who were interviewed knew from prior experience that nothing would happen following the interview.  And, they were probably glad.

There is another group of young substance abusers whose needs are not met by health care providers.  They are the drug-addicted young people who live with their family who may or may not have medical and health insurance.  Parents who have sought help from the health care system specifically for the substance abuse are seldom satisfied.  Those who are taken to physicians or psychiatrists because of their drug or alcohol use, are often so angry that they not only accept help, but are so resentful about the pressure against them, that they rebel; some run away from home.  Some appear to try, but give up and go back to their favorite illegal substance. 

Fortunately, neither parents nor the health care system are willing to give up on young substance abusers. 

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