The young women faced drug problems, as well as physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Nearly all expressed moderate to heavy use of illegal drugs, and many said their first exposure to drugs came through a parent or a step-parent. Intervention for the abuse they experienced at home and the trouble they got into away from home was late in coming for the young women. The young women also said parents could have done more to stop their delinquent behavior, and many were apathetic toward government-sponsored treatment programs. Life held little value for most of the young women; sex and parenthood were usually in their minds, and they felt they could not trust parents and involved professionals. Many experts interviewed for the study indicated that building trust with the young women was the key to successful treatment. They recommended gender-specific treatment programs and appropriate educational programs for female juvenile offenders. Recommendations to improve services for female juvenile offenders are offered. Appendixes contain a resource list, supplemental information on study findings, and exit questionnaires. 7 figures