The effects of alcohol and other drug abuse are recognized as a serious problem in U.S. communities. Policy efforts and increased law enforcement have only a minimal impact if prevention strategies are not consistent with the community's level of readiness, are not culturally relevant, and are not community-specific. A model has been developed for accurately assessing a community's level of readiness to initiate prevention strategies. The model has nine stages of readiness--tolerance, denial, vague awareness, preplanning, preparation, initiation, institutionalization, confirmation/expansion, and professionalization. The most appropriate method for assessing the community's level of readiness is to survey key community members who know about the type of problem examined. The model can be used by community members to develop interventions appropriate to each stage of their community's readiness, thus increasing the potential for strategies to be successful and cost-effective. Overall support from the community, known as community climate, will in large part determine the success of prevention efforts. If prevention efforts are in place, they should not be reduced because of a lack of overall community involvement; rather, interventions should be undertaken to alter the community climate. The community readiness model can be adapted to other issues such as health and nutrition, environmental, social, and personal problems. (Contains 14 references.) (TD)