Culture, as an accumulation of historical experiences of a group, and its influence on an individual's behavior regarding chemical use is discussed. The author argues that practitioners tend to ignore the service population and design prevention programs according to funding source requirements. A multicultural model designed to provide prevention services must recognize six factors: (1) existence of subcultures in the United States; (2) impact of the historical relationship between the individual, culture, and chemical abuse; (3) impact of current culture on chemical abuse; (4) evolving, interactive and overlapping systems that influence age of initial use, types and amounts of chemicals used, situations that encourage use, and duration of use; (5) subtle and coercive mechanisms that maintain the existence of chemical use and abuse; and (6) development of positive self-understanding. The multicultural model has application in a broad range of issues that impact chemical abuse and is adaptable to most individuals, cultures, communities, socioeconomic levels and systems. No assumption is made as to the priority of one approach or strategy over another because the model encompasses a variety of approaches within its structure. 25 references.