A sharp upswing of adolescent drug use began in the mid-1970s, preceded by a marked increase of usage by college students about 10 years earlier. The use of marijuana and alcohol are very closely related for the adolescent. In the 15- to 24-year age range, the leading causes of deaths are accidents, homicides, and suicides. All have a strong correlation with drug and alcohol use. Other areas affected by drug and alcohol use include scholastic performance, work performance, family relationships, the crime rate, and the filling of mental health institutions. The three general areas involved in the cause of the drug epidemic are the strengths and maturity of the individual child, the messages and support systems of the environment, and the availability and attractiveness of drugs. A cooperative, nonblaming, community-wide approach to the drug problem involving schools, law enforcement agencies, judges, and lawmakers could do much to augment the efforts of parents, children, and physicians to stem the adolescent drug use problem in America. 2 tables, appendix, 209 references, index.