IT WAS FOUND THAT FEW COUNTRIES HAVE INCLUDED IN THEIR LAWS SPECIAL TEXTS CONCERNING YOUNG DRUG USERS, BUT ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE A GENERAL LAW ON JUVENILES WHICH ALLOWS A DISTINCTION TO BE MADE BETWEEN ADULTS AND JUVENILES IN THIS PARTICULAR FIELD. IN MOST COUNTRIES, THE POLICE HAVE NO FREEDOM OF ACTION WITH REGARD TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - ONLY THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES ARE COMPETENT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS. HOWEVER, IN QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, THE POLICE DO HAVE SOME FREEDOM OF ACTION. THESE ARE MAINLY THOSE COUNTRIES WHOSE LEGISLATION IS BASED ON ANGLO-SAXON PRINCIPLES. IN ALMOST HALF THE COUNTRIES WHICH REPLIED TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE, POLICE ACTION IS GOVERNED, IF NOT BY A WRITTEN CODE OF PROCEDURE - ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE CASE IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES - AT LEAST BY A SPECIAL ATTITUDE. WHEN DEALING WITH MINORS, THEIR MAIN CONCERN IS PREVENTION RATHER THAN SUPPRESSION, AND THEY ALWAYS TRY TO CONTACT THE PARENTS OR QUARDIANS OF THE MINOR WHO HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE. OFTEN, THEY ALSO REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)