Universal substance education should be based on the Social Influences Model; this model can create a greater awareness of media and social influences,

School-based prevention strategy should be part of a national or provincial/territorial plan providing education programs at all levels (pre-school, primary, secondary and university) in a gradual, continuous and systematic process.

Information and skill development about substance abuse should be provided within a mandatory health education curriculum but can all be taught in other subjects

Programs should help students to develop develop life skills, decision-making skills and specific situational skills.

Programs should provide accurate information that is free of moralizing.

Educational programs for the prevention of drug abuse should take into account levels of drug use among individuals and in society, risk and protective factors, gender, ethnicity, culture, language, developmental level, ability level, religion and sexual orientation

Instructional methods should be interactive, emphasizing student-to-student as well as student-to-teacher, interactivity; This may involve role-plays, Socratic questioning, simulations, brainstorming, cooperative learning, peer-to-peer discussion and service-learning projects.

Classroom lessons are best led by teachers or leaders that are comfortable with and have competence in promoting interactivity among students on substance use issues. Teachers / leaders need to create a non-judgmental atmosphere in order to effectively lead these activities