The primary aim of such legislation should be to make the adult population aware of the problems and, when necessary, hold them responsible for the use of drugs by juveniles. This article briefly reviews laws pertaining to drug abuse by youth in Australia, Colombia, Cuba, Greece, and Kenya. A more detailed discussion is provided on such legislation in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In the United Kingdom, the Criminal Justice Act of 1982 requires the parents or guardian of a delinquent child to pay any fines, compensation, or costs awarded against the child, unless it would be unreasonable to do so. This requirement is based on the presumption that parents may contribute to the commission of the offense by neglecting to exercise due care or control over their children. Other issues in legislation pertaining to drug use by juveniles include the definition of a young person or a child, the age of criminal responsibility, the confidentiality of juvenile drug-use records, and the extent to which the voluntary participation of juveniles in drug abuse should be punishable by law. 39 references. (Author abstract modified)