Interviews with 102 youths up to age 22, participant observations with another 50 youths, and surveys of 185 high school students provided study information. The data were gathered from 1984 to 1986. Findings showed that the level of regular heroin use among youth was lower than feared by the public and that heroin was becoming less acceptable to these youths. Findings also showed that many youths in one public housing area had experimented with solvents, especially glue. Most of the use was experimental rather than regular. Results also indicated that opportunity and contact with other drug users was a major factor in the initiation and continuation of drug use. In addition, the heroin users were older than the glue users and had a longer and more varied history of risk taking. Moreover, the local parent culture appeared to influence perceptions of what constitutes an acceptable drug and an acceptable level of risk in taking it. The results also showed similarities and differences with results of other research.