FRANÇAIS :
Malgré de nombreuses études sur les facteurs environnementaux, génétiques, héréditaires, biologiques et psychologiques pouvant favoriser la consommation et l'abus de drogues chez les jeunes (enfants et adolescents), il est difficile d'en cerner le cheminement. Cela s'explique par la nature changeante de l'adolescence, l'hétérogénéïté des produits utilisés et la complexité du comportement des jeunes. C'est pourquoi des stratégies préventives et éducatives doivent être mises en place au niveau de ces populations à risque.

ENGLISH:
Substance abuse has particular implications for the developing foetus in utero, for the child in the context of a family with an ongoing pattern of substance misuse, and for the teenager using a variety of substances. Additionally there are now forms of drug abuse which relate almost entirely to children and adolescents (notably volatile substance abuse). In many countries over the past decade the age of initiation into substance use has gradually reduced and children of 8 and 9 in the inner city deprived areas of New York and Washington are now reported to consume crack/cocaine. The advent of the human immunodeficiency virus bas substantially increased the risks associated with some forms of drug taking. This review assesses pertinent research developments in the field of substance abuse in the young, and where relevant attempts to draw conclusions that are clinically applicable. The paucity of research is such that few data exist on many important areas within the field of substance abuse in the young.