Abstract Addiction behaviour, specifically abuse of and addiction to habit-forming substances, must be approached from multidisciplinary perspective. The text is focused mainly on programs of secondary and tertiary prevention in which special educators are involved. It contains fundamental information for educators working also in other areas than that of addictology, in view of the fact that the problem of abuse of habit-forming substances by adolescents in young offender institutions and youth detention centres has been increasing. Emphasis is put on crisis intervention, on minimization of health and social risks in low-threshold programs, on residential and follow-up care and on substitution programs.