AbstractThis article describes trends and problem indicators relating to the rapidly increasing population of youths at risk for educational failure who will, in turn, fail in the labor market. Schools and other social institutions—the family, the community, the media, and the state and federal governments—have failed to socialize and integrate youths. In response to this failure, the authors challenge all community systems to address the multitude of social problems facing youths by collaborating to develop comprehensive, coordinated health education programs including substance abuse prevention efforts at the community, state, and federal levels. Components of effective prevention efforts, conclusions from model prevention programs, and implications for social workers in school settings are discussed.