TRENTON -- New Jersey high schoolers in public, private or charter schools would be subjected to a substance use screening every year under a new drug-prevention bill pitched by the chairman of the state Senate's Health Committee.

Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) on Monday called for written or verbal screenings by a certified student assistance coordinator, school nurse, counselor, social worker or psychologist.

The assessments could identify, reduce, and prevent problematic drug use and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs, he said. Addictions often begin before age 18, he added.

"Screening for risk factors or red flags during the high school years will provide an opportunity for early intervention and might help to prevent addiction before it even begins," Vitale said.

The proposal would require schools to provide parents with written notification of the screenings, and parents would have the option to decline participation. Anything said during the screening would be confidential.

Vitale's plan comes two weeks after Gov. Chris Christie pledged to spend the final year of his term tackling the state's drug addiction crisis.

Christie also looked to bolster schools' roles in fighting drug addition by developing a new curriculum on opioids and bringing minimum security prisoners to middle schools and high schools to explain how drug abuse landed them behind bars.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.