This document is a learning module designed to provide adult literacy practitioners in New York and elsewhere with the materials needed to take an empowering approach to helping adult literacy learners deal with the realities of alcohol and other drug issues affecting them and their families. The module includes background material, information on resources, and sample lesson plans for use by instructors themselves or by guest presenters. The document begins with reading materials on the following topics: the history of substance abuse; substance use versus nonuse; elements of risk; associated risks; prevention; treatment options; self-help programs; recovery; and substance abuse in others around us. Presented next are nine sample lesson plans. Each lesson plan contains some or all of the following: a goal, outcome objective, listing of recommended instructional materials and resources; learning activities; and supplementary notes. The following materials are also included: 4 handouts; the addresses of 18 resource organizations nationwide; the addresses of 13 branches of New York's Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; a bibliography of 39 print resources; appendixes containing information on 9 groups of drugs and criteria for diagnosing substance abuse; a glossary; an acronyms list; and a list of terms related to 12-step and recovery programs. (MN)