Promotion of health and reduction of risk factors (primarily prevention) should be the organizing principle behind activities regarding children of drug-abusing parents. Prevention has traditionally been conceptualized as occurring at three levels: (1) primary -- lessening the frequency with which it happens in the first place; (2) secondary -- early intervention aimed at shortening the duration of cases and thus reducing the burden on the community at any given time; and (3) tertiary -- efforts aimed at mitigating the long-term consequences of the problem. The article discusses in detail primary prevention of drug abuse in parenting-age women, early intervention for drug abuse in pregnant and parenting women, and preventing child abuse by drug-abusing mothers and their male partners. The chapter concludes that well-planned and adequately financed primary prevention programs of the types discussed can prevent much damage to the next generation and failure to invest in primary prevention might contribute to future problems. References