Although research indicates drug and alcohol use by most ethnic populations other than Native Americans is less than that of whites, substance use by ethnic groups tends to increase as they become assimilated into the dominant American culture. Further, most ethnic groups suffer more behavioral and health problems than whites and also experience more sociocultural and economic exploitation. Cultural diversity should be incorporated in drug prevention programs, particularly in the school setting, and racial discrimination should be eliminated. Teachers should have high expectations for ethnic minority children and youth, and a multicultural content should be infused throughout school curricula. Specific suggestions are offered on how schools can effectively implement a multicultural educational approach. 80 references