These materials represent first hand documentations of 25 school-based drug abuse prevention program activities and experiences in the state of California. The programs, based on the premise that effective prevention programs improve a school's atmosphere for learning and growth, are described in terms of their design, implementation, and assessment components as well as the roles taken by school personnel, the State Department of Education, community agencies, county agencies, and the county superintendent to insure their success. The rationale for such programs is presented through discussion of specific program strategies including self-esteem building, communication training, values clarification, decision making/problem solving, information gathering, peer tutoring and counseling, and parent education. A "pyramid of prevention" is diagrammed for the reader and issues related to program survival, i.e., politics, funding, evaluation, and training, are examined. A selected bibliography, with addresses and contacts of print, audiovisual, curriculum materials, clearinghouse, and training resources is also included. (Author/HLM)