In an effort to prevent substance use and abuse by children and adolescents, the California Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Education (DATE) Program was initiated in 1991. This report evaluates the program from perspectives of school district personnel, and students, generating an explanation of the "whats" and "hows" of drug prevention programs. Among school district personnel, nearly 250 students in grades 5-12, considered "at-risk for substance abuse" and "thriving" in their school, were interviewed in 40 focus groups. This data was combined with survey data from more than 5,000 randomly selected students in grades 7-12. The data strongly suggest that many student substance used decisions are either neutrally and/or negatively influenced by their school-based drug education. Researchers identified mismatch between how educational implementation/delivery compared with students' perception of issues. As grade level increased student dissatisfaction increased. Most school district personnel and students believed that DATE services: (1) result in developmentally inappropriate programs: (2) undermine school personnel's credibility by giving students only one perspective, which students perceive as biased, and (3) help create policies that exclude those who are most in need of help. Appendices include 1992 and 1993 interview questions and "An Alternative View to the Risk Orientation." (JBJ)