Media literacy is the "ability to ask questions about what you watch, see, and read." Media literacy developed among youth can help them understand how media are developed, the approaches used to increase persuasion, the commercial sources and beneficiaries of advertising, and the ideology of messages contained in commercial and news media. A media literacy approach can benefit drug prevention efforts by teaching youth to recognize how media messages influence them, to develop critical thinking, and to foster healthy self-esteem. The future of media literacy specific to drug prevention will hinge on efforts to support educators and practitioners, educate decision makers, and invest in meaningful research. Support for practitioners should include providing access to appropriate curriculum development materials as well as sustained training and leadership development opportunities. Educating key decision makers -- such as educational leaders, school administrators, and State and Federal officials -- is necessary to generate support and resources for the development of new ideas and approaches to drug prevention education. Investments in research are required to examine how to improve the efficacy of media literacy interventions and how skills developed as a result of media literacy education affect young people's choices concerning illicit drugs and other risky behaviors. 4 resource website addresses