A major national initiative to encourage partnerships between YOTs and substance misuse agencies working with young substance-abusing offenders grew out of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in the United Kingdom, which was one of a number of recent acts and policies aimed at improving inter-agency and interdisciplinary efforts in social and health care. The current analysis of the quality of the partnerships between YOT and substance misuse agencies was based on evaluations of 25 projects funded by the Youth Justice Board’s Development Fund from 1999 to 2000. While the findings generally indicate positive relationships among the agencies, a number of potential and actual conflict areas were identified in the realm of confidentiality, referral services, and enforcement. The current analysis is consistent with previous research on partnerships between criminal justice agencies and volunteer agencies; while positive relationships and outcomes are possible and worthwhile, common tensions permeate the partnerships. Careful planning and liaison between the YOTs and the substance misuse projects mitigated some of the predictable tensions. Specific challenges to the partnerships are identified and include the speed of the tendering process and the complexities of establishing the programs and the necessary partnerships. Tables, references