This opening chapter provides an overview of the book. Chapter 2 of the book summarizes current data for problem behaviors among adolescents across five areas including: (1) substance abuse; (2) sexual behavior; (3) delinquency and violence; (4) depression and suicidal ideation; and (5) school failure. Next, chapter 3 addresses the efforts to stem drug use among children and summarizes effective school-based drug prevention programs. Chapter 4 reviews the limited progress made toward reducing early sexual behavior and pregnancy, and the lack of contraceptive use among adolescents. In chapter 5 the increasing threat of youth violence to the public health is examined. Chapter 6 discusses the tendency for depression to co-occur with other debilitating conditions and the deleterious effects of depression in childhood. Chapter 7 provides an overview of what schools can do to address the issue of youth suicide. Chapter 8 addresses the issue of poor nutrition in children and how healthier dietary behaviors can be encouraged. Chapter 9 addresses prevention strategies relating to accidental injury. Lastly, chapter 10 addresses school success as both academic and bonding with the institution's staff to protect against the pitfalls discussed in the previous chapters. The chapter concludes by noting that, as comprehensive as "Healthy People 2000" is, it does not go far enough in addressing the health problems and needs of children and youth. The present volume makes clear that the widespread dissemination of effective health promotion practices and policies to foster social and environmental supports for children's social, emotional, and physical wellness are our best bet toward improving their current functioning as well as their health as adults. Contains 28 references. (SD)