Children and adolescents join gangs because their needs for emotional support, physical security, and an authentic community are not being adequately met. The problem of youth gang and drug involvement cannot be separated from its larger context. Many factors place youth at risk, including family dysfunction, overburdened schools, and inadequate community support systems. In response, project funds have been made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Youth Gang Drug Prevention Program. Types and characteristics of projects operating in fiscal year 1994 are detailed, as well as promising programs and activities and community planning projects. Supplemental information and data on the projects is provided in appendixes. Tables