AbstractChemical dependency in secondary school age students as a legally handicapping condition was studied. Implications and rulings from the relevant federal legislation, P.L. 94–142 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, were reported. Responses from 36 state offices of special education were studied. State special education classification and services for chemically dependent students were reported. Discussion focused on two philosophies regarding chemical dependency as causative factors in the differences between the states views of dependency being an educational handicap.