Jeremy Prichard and Jason Payne surveyed 370 young people in juvenile detention centres around Australia with the aim of understanding their offending patterns, links with drug and alcohol use, and risk factors. Their study confirms that young people in detention have extensive offending and drug use histories, and experience patterns of abuse, neglect, and family drug use earlier in their lives. Effective programs are needed to address drug use, housing needs, skills development and individual and family support.