In a special report on violence, Satcher said that youth violence is often part of a lifestyle that includes drugs, guns and sex. "We have made a lot of progress but the youth epidemic is not over," Satcher said. "When we look at surveys we see that there is still a problem. There is also the issue of the role guns play in youth violence. We need to continue our efforts to address the problems of easy access."

While American children and teens are just as violent as ever, the report found a decline in youth using guns. "There is considerable evidence that youth involvement in serious forms of violent behavior is quite stable over time and remains a serious national problem," the report stated. "There is good news today in that declines since 1993 in key markers of serious youth violence are real and substantial. Youth homicide, robbery, and rape arrest rates in 1999 are actually lower than they were in 1983, prior to the violence epidemic."

The report continued, "Since 1994, a decline in homicide arrests has reflected primarily the decline in use of firearms. Weapons carrying and use in violent crimes have declined. At the same time, however, rates of arrest for aggravated assault remain nearly 70 percent higher than in 1983."

Although there has been a number of school shootings throughout the United States, the report noted that children are less likely to be killed at school than at home. "Schools nationwide are relatively safe. Compared to homes and neighborhoods, schools have fewer homicides and nonfatal injuries," the report said.

The report stressed that jail and crackdowns are ineffective tools for fighting youth violence. "Youths transferred to adult criminal court have significantly higher rates of re-offending and a greater likelihood of committing subsequent felonies than youths who remain in the juvenile-justice system. They are also more likely to be victimized, physically and sexually," the report stated.

Instead, Satcher recommended carefully planned programs that make parents and teachers aware of problems and more involved in children's lives. Addressing parents, Satcher said in the report, "The most critical risk factor for violence for your children is the behavior of their peers. Know who your kids associate with and encourage healthy peer relationships."

The report tells teachers, "According to kids' own reports, bullying and drugs are the major problems they have to deal with at school, but these often are not acknowledged by the adults in the school system."

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