Young people who work more than 20 hours a week are less likely to finish high school and more likely to use drugs and run into trouble with the police. That is the conclusion of a report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine.

• Eight out of every 10 American teenagers hold down a job at some time during their school years.

• By 12th grade, almost half of all students work at least 20 hours per week during the school year.

• One study cited by the researchers found that for every additional hour over 20 worked, there was a corresponding increase in the likelihood that a child would drop out of school.

• While teenagers used to work to supplement family income, today they are earning money for discretionary spending -- often for cars, clothes and entertainment.

The researchers acknowledged that work can have positive effects -- teaching responsibility, punctuality, money management and how to work with others.

Federal law restricts the number of hours children younger than 16 can work. Those 16 and older can work nonhazardous jobs without limitations on hours. Agricultural employment is even less restricted.

Source: Barbara Vobejda, "Too Much Time on the Job Imperils Teens' Future, Panel Says," Washington Post, November 6, 1998.