The use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana and other illicit drugs by American high school students has diminished significantly over the past decade; however, the use of alcohol among youth is still common. Although the reduction of juvenile drug use varies directly with increased perceptions of the risks of drug use, shifts in use patterns or attitudes may derive from factors unrelated to drug prevention efforts such as the increased conservatism of juveniles, changes in the actual and perceived strength and toxicity of particular drugs, or the impact of coercive social control efforts. Research on the causes of drug use among adolescents suggests that adolescent socialization may well affect experimentation and social use of some drugs. Progression to the use of dangerous drugs may be less related to peer associations and more a product of poor social bonding, the origins of which long precede adolescence. Although drug-resistance programs that incorporate some social-skills development are currently believed to hold the most promise for reducing drug use among the general youth population, empirical support for this belief is still weak. The model most advocated for future prevention efforts within the general population is the communitywide program involving students, parents, media, community leaders, and others in prevention efforts. It incorporates a focus on health, positive socialization, and nondrug alternative behaviors that fulfill the developmental needs of youths. 91 notes