Teen drug use is a critical and timely health issue that deeply affects adolescent development in a number of important areas, including social, cognitive, and affective functioning, as well as long-term health and wellbeing. Trends indicate that drug use is starting at an earlier age, the potency of several drugs is much stronger than in the past, and more new drugs are illegally being manufactured to provide faster, heightened effects. In addition, illegal use of prescription drugs and drug diversion or the sharing of prescription medication is also on the rise amongst teens....

This book examines the current strides being made in evidence-based drug prevention, particularly with school-age youth. It explores decades of research and successful programs to help researchers, practitioners, and policy makers make further progress in preventing drug abuse.