Initial interview data were gathered from 399 youths admitted to the detention center. Followup interviews were conducted with 305 youths and included 210 youths reinterviewed in the community or in a detention center following arrest or admission by court order. Voluntary urine specimens were collected from 201 of these youths, mostly white males, who became the focus of the study. Their average age was 16. Results showed a persistent relationship between drug sales and cocaine use over time and indicated the need for serious treatment intervention. Efforts to make available socially and personally rewarding educational and occupational options are also needed with early intervention having the greatest chance of success. Figures and 40 references