Welcome to your Drug Use Questionnaire for Adolescents (DAST-20)
The following questions concern information about your potential involvement with drugs not including alcoholic beverages during the last 12 months. Carefully read each statement and decide if the your answer is "Yes" or "No" and select your answer. In the statements "drug abuse" refers to (i) the use of prescribed or over the counter drugs in excess of the directions and (ii) any non-medical use of drugs. The various classes of drugs may include: cannabis (e.g. marijuana, hash), solvents, tranquilisers (e.g. Valium), barbiturates, cocaine, stimulants (e.g. speed), hallucinogens (e.g. LSD) or narcotics (e.g. heroin). Remember that the questions do not include alcoholic beverages.
Please answer every question. If you have difficulty with a statement, then choose the response that is mostly right.
Please note this questionnaire should NOT be taken by anyone who is currently under the influence of drugs, or who are undergoing a drug withdrawal reaction.
Credit for creating this test and copyright 1982 for Harvey A. Skinner, PhD Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
1. Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
2. Have you abused prescription drugs?
3. Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?
4. Can you get through the week without using drugs?
5. Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
6. Have you had "blackouts" or "flashbacks" as a result of drug use?
7. Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
8. Do your parents ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
9. Has drug abuse created problems between you and your parents?
10. Have you lost friends because of your use of drugs?
11. Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
12. Have you been in trouble at school because of drug abuse?
13. Have you missed school assignments because of drug abuse?
14. Have you gotten into fights when under the influence of drugs?
15. Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
16. Have you been arrested for possession of illegal drugs?
17. Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
18. Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g. memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)?
19. Have you gone to anyone for help for your drug problem?
20. Have you been involved in a treatment program specifically related to drug use?
