The key role of the general practitioner for children and adolescents in the context of the emerging national addiction prevention system

The use of addictive substances and the development of the so-called non-attractive addictions has become one of the most important topics in the context of the so-called non-infectious epidemics of the present time. The deterioration of the situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is especially noticeable among younger age groups of patients and their families. Especially for them, the urgency to create a sustainable, safe and effective national system of addiction prevention, including screening and short interventions (i.e. the hitherto neglected obligations of all healthcare workers resulting from Act No. 65/2017 Coll.) has increased by leaps and bounds. The backbone of school and community risk behavior prevention is today supported by the national IPREV platform, which is followed by a gradually developed screening program ing pediatricians and their nurses. For pediatricians and general nurses, the first tools and educational programs are available (mainly based on the CRAFFT methodology) and another tool (the Assisst methodology) is being prepared, including system online support and the opening of the discussion on reimbursements and their enforcement. However, it is essential in this context to maintain a view of the family as a complex system, with whole implications for health and social services.

Keywords: addictionology, pediatricians, prevention, screening, brief intervention.