A total of 140 teenagers were randomly sampled and interviewed through an 18-question survey. Fifty-two teens were in residency, either in the Skipworth Detention Facility in Lane County, Ore., or group homes under the auspices of Looking Glass Youth Programs. In addition, 88 nondelinquent youth from the Springfield/Eugene, Ore., area were randomly sampled on the first 16 of the survey questions. Five local teenagers were trained as interviewers and recorded the responses to each question. The interview involved open-ended questions on which youths in the community needed help, the kind of help that should be provided, keeping kids in their families, school dropouts, alcohol and drugs, foster care, adult volunteerism in youth programs, juvenile delinquency, and perceptions of existing community youth resources. The last two survey questions dealt with juvenile corrections programs and were administered only to youth currently under court jurisdiction. Findings show that delinquent youth emphasized the detrimental effects of drugs and alcohol; and dysfunctional family patterns were viewed more as a problem, both as a mental health issue and in antisocial behavior, by nondelinquent youth. The use of counseling was viewed as beneficial by all respondents. Respondents viewed schools as an important conduit to services. Family and friends are still seen as the main resources for teens both in and out of the system. Although the design of community programs seems to be addressing the specific problems identified by teenagers, they do not seem to be doing a good job in inspiring the confidence of the youth they are serving. 5 references