The theme of this issue of a journal designed to focus on the prevention of various kinds of substance abuse is "children of alcoholics" (CoAs). The lead article, "Children of Chemical Dependency: Respecting Complexities and Building on Strengths," by Pamela Woll, examines chemically dependent family systems. The article begins by offering two sets of recommendations for prevention practitioners, the first concerning the vision needed by program leaders in the prevention field, and the second concerning things to keep in mind in program content, such as the need to have ongoing support systems in schools. The remainder of the paper is given over to 15 detailed recommendations for studying about children and families in the context of chemical dependency. Information from the National Association of Children of Alcoholics lists facts regarding CoAs. The addresses of state chapters of the National Association of Children of Alcoholics are listed. The text of the 1990 Sir Charles Burns lecture presented by Jeanette L. Johnson in New Zealand, which states the front page with the article by Woll, provides a general overview of children and the effects of coming from an alcoholic family. The feature piece of this issue, entitled "Children of Alcoholics: Are They Different?" examines differences between children of alcoholics and others as well as the fact that alcoholism tends to run in families. In a separate "box," 17 general themes and approaches for communicating to children of alcoholics and other drug-abusers are listed. "Provide positive alternatives," and"Channel aggression to less harmful behaviors are among recommended approaches, and it is also observed that multiple media approaches appear to be popular for reaching teenage audiences, and that "personal relationships are important in communicating with high-risk youth." A concluding article by Nancy Phillips, "Creating Change for Healthier Youth: Strategies for Living with Alcoholism" is addressed directly to youth in the pre-teen to mid-teen years, and makes the point that accepting alcoholism as a disease is vital to releasing guilt and anger and realizing no one is to blame. (ABL)