Safety Leadership

The sad truth is substance abuse in the United States continues to impact 37.3 million Americans directly annually and impacts millions more loved ones and families.  This September we spotlight the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and its S-BI-RT program.  S-BI-RT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders and those who are at risk of developing these disorders.  It is a coordination of primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers and other community providers that offer opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.  

S-BI-RT is an acronym for:Graphic for SBIRT

  • Screening quickly to assess the severity of substance use and identify the appropriate level of treatment.
  • Brief intervention that focuses on increasing insight and awareness about substance use and developing motivation toward behavioral changes.
  • Referral to treatment providers for those needing more extensive treatment or specialty care. 

Iowa received funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide S-BI-RT in community health centers and the Iowa National Guard from 2014 through 2017.  Those integrated SBIRT programs within the Iowa Department of Public Health continue today.  

If you or a loved one is in need of help, S-BI-RT resources are available by calling 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) or by sending your zip code by text to 435748 (HELP4U).  If you are in crisis, call or text 988.  

Safety Policies