This guide was developed to aid school administrators and school board members in leading the planning for a community approach to combat alcohol and drug abuse. It highlights critical aspects of the abuse problem among students in New York and explains the rationale for a cooperative planning effort by the school, the home, and the community. It outlines an approach to involve teachers, parents, students, and members of the community in the school's efforts to create and maintain a school environment that is free of alcohol and drugs. An executive summary gives six steps for using the guide. The first chapter documents the extent of the alcohol and drug abuse problem. Chapter 2 discusses the approach used in the guide, chapter 3 examines curriculum review and development, chapter 4 considers staff and community development and training, and chapter 5 explains the relationship between the school and law enforcement agencies. Chapter 6 focuses on the legal dimension, describing issues surrounding the problem of alcohol and drug abuse. Chapter 7 lists local, state, and national groups involved in drug abuse prevention. Chapter 8 looks at more than 30 student assistance and special prevention programs. Appendix A, How The Law Can Help, considers such legal issues as searching for drugs within the school, suspension and expulsion, and confidentiality of education records. Appendices B and C list local Councils on Alcoholism and local designated agencies by county in New York state. (NB)