Young alcoholics not getting treatment.

• Position: Substance Abuse

Nearly 7,000,000 Americans age 18 to 25 were classified as needing treatment in the past year for alcohol or illicit drug use, according to a study by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), Washington, D.C. Moreover, 93% of these young adults did not receive the help they should have gotten at a specialty treatment facility. These levels have remained relatively stable since 2002.

The study also shows that the 96% of young adults requiring--but not receiving--specialized treatment for these substance problems did not perceive their need for help. Even among the four percent of young adults who thought they should have specialized help in the past year, but who had not received it, only 32.2% made any attempt to get treatment.

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"Substance use disorders are preventable and treatable, yet we continue to allow the lives of one in five young people and their families to be torn apart by substance abuse," laments Eric Broderick, acting administrator. "As a nation, we must redouble our efforts to prevent substance abuse in...