The case studies consist of interviews with the youths or with family members in the case of a death, along with video reviews of their activities and current lifestyles. The youths portrayed come from small towns, suburbs, urban areas, and an Indian reservation. The risks that have affected their lives include drug abuse, running away from home, attempting suicide, criminal behavior, gang membership, riding with a dangerous driver, and hanging out at a club where a random shooting resulted in a youth's death. Each of the youths or a family member analyzes the behaviors and attitudes that led to a crisis in their lives. In most cases, the youths were able to find the help they needed in order to cope with and learn from the effects of their risk-taking. The video lets the youth and their affected families tell their stories without comment or lecture from a narrator. Viewers are left to draw their own conclusions about the youth's experiences.