ABSTRACT
The use of illicit drugs among young people has increased relentlessly over the last 25 years (Miller and Plant 1996; Balding 1996, 1997; Wright et al. 1995), though provisional findings of the most recent survey by Balding (1998) may represent for the first time a clear downturn in illicit drug use in young people. The nature of this use spans a broad spectrum, from experimental to dependence. The larger the number of young people who experiment with drug and alcohol use, the greater number will go on to develop problems, either within adolescence or in later adult life. Of these a significant proportion will be involved in criminal activity and have contact with the Courts.
