The research upon which this paper is based examined the experience of attempting to establish youth justice-based drugs prevention projects in two sites. Although the number of referrals made to the individual projects were relatively modest, they nonetheless supported the proposition that this is a "high risk" group. Among the young offenders interviewed, the key risk factors associated with problematic drug use were especially visible. Rates of family disruption were high, educational achievement was minimal, association with delinquent peers was common, and age of onset was very young and frequency of drug use was particularly high. Attempting to integrate drug prevention activity within youth justice was less straightforward than had been anticipated. Innovative work inevitably gives rise to challenges to accepted philosophies, practices, and policies. The focus of this paper is on the identification of these challenges and the tensions that result. Three main sources of tension are highlighted: diversion versus drug prevention; holism versus compartmentalization; and the problems of "joined-up" (interagency) working. 2 tables and 60 references