As substance experimentation and use among adolescents continues, the evidence suggests that multiple drug involvement will increase, as will the impact on the development of substance disorders in young adulthood. At present, data from epidemiological surveys highlight the tendency of adolescents to ignore the negative risks associated with underage drug use (Johnston et al., 2008). In the MTF’s most recent report on risk perception, only 46%, 60%, and 57% of 12th graders were aware of the negative consequences of using alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, respectively (Johnston et al., 2008). Given the generalized vulnerability to substance abuse/dependence a robust strategy for prevention and intervention enterprises would be a generalized substance risk approach targeted at young adolescents.
