School health classes are one of the most common ways to introduce drug prevention and awareness programs. Common topics in these drug prevention courses include the use and abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol, and tobacco cessation.
Home economics classes, which focus on healthy and independent living, can include drug prevention and awareness in middle school and high school classes. The physical and financial consequences of drug use are the typical focus of such courses.
Trained Sheriff's deputies and school safety officers also provide varying level of drug prevention and awareness education for all grade level in public school systems. A popular program called D.A.R.E. works primarily with fourth through sixth graders over the course of a school quarter to warn students of the physical and legal consequences of drug use and abuse.
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign held during the last week of October. It is designed to educate students of all ages about the dangers of substance abuse.
Many special events, visiting speakers and hands-on activities are included in drug prevention activities held during national drug prevention month.