Researchers have consistently found that a high percentage of arrestees are current illegal drug users. Other research has shown a correlation between drug use and delinquent and/or criminal behavior in the general population. There is some evidence that drug use increases and sustains criminal behavior and may relate to some types of criminal behavior; however, social ecology theory also suggests that any comprehensive understanding of the drugs-crime relationship, including the ability to intervene effectively in the relationship, requires an understanding of human development within the context of family and neighborhood networks, relationships, resources, and opportunities. Successful behavior-changing drug treatment requires the mobilization and use of community institutions and contexts that facilitate and sustain the therapeutic process. Increasingly, research indicates that treatment can be cost-effective and yet balance community safety, individual accountability, and individual service needs. Policy that emphasizes programs, including comprehensive assessment, cross-systems case management, ensuring access to needed services, and the careful monitoring of service provision and progress within the context of graduated sanctions and aftercare services may effectively impact both drug use and criminal behavior. Initial data on juvenile drug offender processing from a survey of prosecutors found that more than 90 percent worked in communities that provided inpatient or outpatient drug treatment services. Although data suggest a relatively high availability of drug treatment, they also indicate a limited availability of the type of comprehensive case management services associated with the highest probability of treatment outcome success. The data also suggest a limited willingness by prosecutors to use diversion programming, but a comparatively high willingness to use probation with treatment services. This indicates the need to investigate the relative effectiveness of diversion versus probation programming. If the current focus on breaking the drugs-crime cycle is to be successful, it must use state-of-the-art knowledge about effective interventions in all its components. 2 tables, 7 notes, and 32 references