In an effort to understand the seriousness of juvenile substance abuse, one must look at the trends in alcohol and other drug use. The following summarizes recent trends in substance abuse among youth in the United States:

· Youth in the general population have reported steadily rising levels of alcohol and other drug use since 1992, but levels of use have not returned to the peak rates reported in the 1980’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 1998; Johnston, O’Malley, and Bachman, 1998).

· Youth are beginning to use alcohol and other drugs at earlier ages, and use increases steadily with age (SAMHSA, 1998; Johnston, O’Malley, and Bachman, 1998).

· As youth perceive that alcohol and other drugs are less harmful than they previously believed

The available evidence suggest that there is an overwhelming problem involving our youth and causes of delinquency. Working in a juvenile institution for two years, it is sad to say that the evidence appears to be 100 percent accurate. Drug abuse and subsequent addiction are both a health and a social problem. Drug abuse limits a youth’s ability to reach his or her full potential. In order to meet the growing epidemic, strategic planning along with a collaboration of efforts must be ascertained.

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