Book excerpt: One of the goals of the Nat. Institute on Drug Abuse is to help the public understand the causes of drug abuse and to prevent its onset. This newest edition of "Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents" includes updated principles, new questions and answers, new program information, and expanded references and resources. Chapters: Introduction; Preventive Principles; Risk Factors and Protective Factors; Planning for Drug Abuse Prevention in the Community; Applying Prevention Principles to Drug Abuse Prevention Programs; Examples of Research-Based Drug Abuse Prevention Programs; and Selected Resources and References.