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Best Practices -- Early Intervention, Outreach and Community Linkages for Youth with Substance Use Problems

6. Future Research

The outcomes of this project pointed to specific gaps in research and knowledge related to early intervention, outreach and community linkages for youth with substance use problems. The following summarizes the most salient of these areas:

Youth and Sexual/Gender Orientation

An estimated 10% of the population may comprise individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgendered or questioning (LGBTTQ) (CCSA, 2006). Minimal research has focused on the needs of youth in these populations or on effective approaches for addressing the needs of those with problem substance use (Noell and Ochs, 2001).

Internet-Based Early Intervention Approaches

Some theorists have stressed the potential benefits of integrating motivational enhancement content with Internet-based approaches for intervening early with youth. More research is needed to further explore the potential efficacy of early intervention approaches that use Internet-based applications.