[Substance use among homeless and family deprived adolescents].

Substance use, such as alcohol and illicit drugs, among young people is a growing problem worldwide. Family deprived, "runaway" children are at higher risk of facing this problem. The authors sum up the factors driving to "runaway" attitudes and substance use. The long term harmful effect of substance use and its biological, psychological, and social consequences are also discussed. The patterns of substance use of homeless people and among adopted children, or young people living in child care centers in Hungary are also demonstrated.