The subjects were youths aged 12 to 17 years old (n=224; 81 percent male and 72 percent African-American) referred for drug treatment, along with their parents. Marijuana was the primary substance of abuse. Prior to treatment, data were obtained on demographic variables as well as on both parent and youth perspectives on youth, parents, and family functioning. A discriminant function analysis showed that engagement in treatment was related to (in order of weighting) more positive parental expectations for their adolescent's educational achievement (standardized discriminant function coefficient [SDF] = 0.68), higher parental reports of youth externalizing symptoms (SDF = 0.59), and higher levels of family conflict perceived by the youth (SDF = 0.36). Family income, gender, juvenile justice status, minority group status, family structure, parental age and psychopathology, and treatment characteristics did not distinguish treatment-engaged from unengaged adolescents. The study results suggest that both parent and youth perceptions are pivotal in determining whether or not adolescents are engaged in psychotherapy. The study recommends that adolescent engagement interventions focus on both the youth and his/her parents and that a content focus characterize adolescent engagement interventions. 2 tables and 46 references