The Monitoring the Future project (HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SURVEY) and other studies of school-age youths have helped us to understand the substance-use patterns of ADOLESCENTS who remain in and graduate from high school. In contrast, not nearly as much is known about the substance use of those who become high school dropouts. Nonetheless, by putting together evidence from a variety of sources, including the NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE and the Epidemiologic Catchment Area surveys sponsored by the U.S. government, it is possible to say that high school dropouts are much more likely to have started using TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, and other drugs, as compared with their peers who remained in school. There also is some evidence that dropping out of high school is associated with an increased risk of adult-onset alcohol-dependence syndromes, even among persons whose dropping out could not...