This book is aimed at helping school personnel and others understand the world as youths experience it and to prepare them to respond to young people's search for philosophical answers. Understanding the life context and viewpoint of young adolescents is assumed to be a prerequisite for understanding drug abuse and for communicating with youngsters about drug abuse. The text is based principally on youngsters' self-reports recorded throughout the literature and on studies of life in inner city and suburban environments. However, many of its findings and the commentary reflect and are applicable to youths and their schools in all types of communities. Also included in this text are literature excerpts and discussions of how schools can attempt to meet the needs of youth from a variety of environments. Annotated bibliographies concerning drug use and the special problems of young adolescents are included for both teachers and students. (Author/RF)