About 15 percent of teens screened for alcohol and other drug abuse in doctor's offices in Massachusetts and Vermont showed signs of addiction problems, the Boston Globe reported Nov. 5.

As part of the study led by John R. Knight of Children's Hospital Boston, doctors asked more than 2,000 youths ages 12 to 18 a series of six questions during checkups and visits for illness or injury. Those who answered "yes" to at least two of the question were considered at risk of alcohol or other drug problems.

Researchers found that youths who came into doctors' officers for illness or injury were more likely to be at risk. Also, about 30 percent of youths screened at school-based health centers were considered at risk, followed by 25 percent of those screened at rural family practices.

The research appears in the November 2007 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.