There is a strong statistical correlation between delinquency activity level and the level of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in adolescents. A strong association between drug use, drug trafficking, and youth gangs has also emerged. However, several important questions concerning the relationship of delinquency, gang membership, and AOD use remain unanswered in the research literature. To address these issues, the first section of the overview summarizes current knowledge about the extent of AOD use among delinquents and the relationship between AOD use and delinquency. Recently, researchers have reached consensus regarding the existence of an underlying deviance factor associated with various deviant or risk-taking behaviors in adolescence. Evidence for this viewpoint derives from three sources: (1) etiological and risk factor research on antisocial behavior, school adjustment, family and peer influences, and intrapersonal risk factors; (2) age prevalence data; and (3) attempts to measure directly the presence of a latent deviance factor. The overview next explores the related question of gang member involvement in delinquency, drug use, and drug trafficking. The final section discusses strategies to reduce the prevalence of drug use and delinquency through prevention and intervention programs. The report also contains tables categorizing research by topics, a research abstracts section, and a bibliography of 159 references. (Author/MLH)