Because of the growing problem of juvenile alcohol abuse, a model of secondary prevention is described. Secondary prevention is defined as the provision of early programming for those most at risk or those who show early or prodromal signs of a disorder. The secondary prevention approach is recommended over primary and tertiary approaches because it provides a flexible and individualized approach to a complex and multidetermined problem. Patterns in juvenile alcohol consumption are reviewed, and developmental and environmental factors associated with drinking by young people are examined. The High Risk Drinkers Project at the University of Washington is detailed, a project designed to test the effectiveness of an integrated approach to early intervention with college students. Future directions for intervention and research are offered to identify and stop young people who are prone to alcohol abuse. 67 references, 1 table, and 4 figures