This study of youths and high-risk behavior was designed to explore four issues: (1) the status of substance use and other at-risk behaviors among Iowa youth; (2) important trends in youth substance use and non-use behaviors; (3) major factors involved in encouraging non-use and health-promoting behaviors among Iowa youth; and (4) what the findings of the 1993 Iowa Youth Survey suggest for families, schools, and communities. The study consisted of a 121-question anonymous survey which was administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, at 72 school districts. The survey addressed the following prevention constructs: "assets," or factors of positive development; "prosocial behavior," which includes helping actions and volunteerism; "deficits," or factors inhibiting healthy development; "patterns of co-occurrence," or associations of one at-risk domain with other at-risk behaviors; "at-risk behaviors"; and "the dynamics of prevention." The findings of this study lead to the conclusion that a community-wide commitment to positive youth development is necessary. Each sector of the community must foster the development of all children and youth, coordinate efforts to reduce deficits in the lives of children, and provide information and treatment services for youths and their families enmeshed in at-risk behaviors. It is recommended that parents and families support and encourage children in positive directions, that educators personalize schools and emphasize positive values, and that youths strive to change norms for drug and alcohol use and violence. Appended is the Item Index for Iowa Youth Survey.