Five minority alternative drug abuse prevention programs (three Indian and two Hispanic) in New Mexico were evaluated to determine which elements were successful or unsuccessful in addressing the needs of Indian and Hispanic youth regarding the relationship of substance use and abuse, cultural differences, and self-concept. The programs were evaluated on the basis of program description, staff-client action/interaction, community support, and criteria of success. Data indicated: (1) ability to communicate meaningfully with ethnic participants in alternative prevention activities may depend upon the prevention staff's ability to understand the mental and physical circumstances specific to their ethnic target population, which contribute to dependencies on chemical substances; (2) funding should be solicited from federal, state, and local levels, with emphasis on local funding to insure program longevity free of federal/state funding reductions; (3) a needs assessment of the community in which the program will operate is essential; (4) goals and objectives should reflect community and specific target populations; (5) documentation of program activities is vitally important for program accountability; (6) community awareness and support are fundamental to a meaningful drug prevention program; and (7) program success will depend on the program's ability to meet community needs. (CM)