Drawn from a representative sample, 74 young people (15-16-years old o
n average) who were being arrested frequently by the police (''re-offe
nders'') were traced and interviewed wherever they were living about a
spects of their family and social lives. interview data revealed high
levels of family disruption and a wide variety of current and past liv
ing circumstances. Interviewees reported good relationships with their
mothers and strong social ties with friends and peers. Few were invol
ved in any constructive day to day activities, a third claiming to be
unemployed and most doing nothing. Drug and alcohol use were widesprea
d and heavy, and there was evidence of many attempts to get help for a
variety of problems-half had had some sort of psychological intervent
ion or counselling arranged for them-and distress, general stresses an
d lack of support were not uncommon. Intervention and policy implicati
ons are discussed. (C) 1996 The Association for Professionals in Servi
ces for Adolescents