Only 10% of 12- to 17-year-olds in need of substance use treatment actually receive care. This is the same period when people are most likely to begin abusing drugs, and adolescent drug use is an important predictor of the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Amy Yule of Harvard Medical School explains what sets this population apart and how to approach treatment.

You can learn more about treating substance use disorders at www.psychiatry.org and at the new Providers Clinical Support System website, www.pcssNOW.org. Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 5U79TI026556-03 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Music: "Sidecar" by Podington Bear