Risk-taking and substance abuse for both boys and girls is certainly a problem. Part of that is because that part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, is the last part to develop. In terms of boys and girls, boys are more likely to engage in risky behavior or substance abuse because their prefrontal cortex develops even later than that of girls. Brain development for girls continues into the 20's and early 30's for males. That very part of the brain that says, "This is a bad idea. This is risky. I could get hurt. I could die from this." That part of the brain isn't developed all the way, so the kids have a crazy, sort of, risk-taking behavior and then they don't have that part of the brain that says, "This isn't a good idea." Boys are more susceptible than girls because of the development of that prefrontal cortex.