The Marshall Islands government is considering putting up funding for projects to deal with youth related problems.
A team funded by the Asian Development Bank has spent several months meeting with urban and rural communities to identify the areas of most need.
The Bank was prepared to consider extending a loan, but an ADB consultant, Stewart Hadfield, says the Marshall's government has been looking at the overall situation:
"Early indications are that the government has recognised the seriousness of the problem and in view of its debt load at funding the projects themselves."
ADB consultant, Stewart Hadfield.
The main issues to be focused on are teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, suicide, school dropouts, youth unemployment and a loss of identity and culture.