Source: www.dea.gov, 2001

Substance Abuse: “the use of any chemical substance, legal or illegal, that causes physical, mental, emotional, or social hearm to a person or to people close to him or her” (NIDA).

Substance abuse of legal and illegal drugs is a large social problem. Increases are noted during the 1990’s, at least for illicit drugs. Family is centrally affected.

Botvin (e.g., Botvin and Tortu, in 14 ounces of prevention) has developed effective prevention programs for addressing adolescent substance abuse through Life Skills Training.