Aim: The objective of this study was to compare the criterion validity of the CRAFFT and DEPADO. Method: One hundred and sixty-three adolescents (80 from the general population and 83 regular substance users) completed the ADAD and the MINI questionnaires, as well as either the CRAFFT or the DEP-ADO in roughly equal proportions, between March 2002 and August 2003. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results: Both questionnaires had high sensitivity but the DEP-ADO showed a better specificity than CRAFFT. A score equal or higher than 8 on the scale of DEP-ADO appeared to be an appropriate threshold for problems related to substance use. DEP-ADO had a sensitivity of 92.0% and a specificity of 80.6% with severity rating scores of ADAD (alcohol and drug areas combined). With the MINI diagnoses, DEP-ADO had a sensitivity of 95.1% and a specificity of 68.9%. Conclusion: DEP-ADO appears to have higher diagnostic utility for identifying substance use than CRAFFT in regard to sensitivity and specificity. However, the CRAFFT has the advantage of considering substance use over a lifetime period. Further studies should be targeting younger subjects and more diverse substance-use patterns. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)