When ADHD, depression, anxiety and conduct and learning disorders emerge in childhood, they increase the risk that a young person may later develop substance use problems. In addition, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia tend to appear during adolescence and young adulthood -- about the same time that substance use problems tend to emerge.

This extensive and important resource on youth and concurrent mental health and substance use disorders is a well-researched and practical tool for all professionals working with youth.

The manual is divided into three main sections:

• Part One includes an overview of youth substance use and mental health, along with chapters on preparing to respond; identifying, assessing and planning treatment; treatment and support; and pharmacotherapy.
• Part Two is an informative appendix that includes information on risk factors and protective factors, a comparative overview of substance use and mental health services for youth in Ontario, a Do You Know… section with everything you need to know about numerous substances, brief summaries of screening and assessment tools, and information on psychiatric medications.
• Part Three consists of First Contact: A Brief Treatment for Young Substance Users with Mental Health Problems, a treatment manual to help care providers integrate the treatment of substance use and concurrent mental health problems.

##Elsbeth Tupker, MSW, was a clinical services consultant at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Her 25 years of experience in the addiction field was primarily with youth, and included treatment, program development, research and professional training. She co-authored a number of publications: Youth and Drugs: An Educational Package for Professionals; Let ’Em Go: How to Support Youth in Creating Their Own Solutions; and First Contact: A Brief Treatment for Young Substance Users.

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