This digest summarizes basic information on substance abuse prevention and intervention for students with disabilities. It identifies risks associated with specific disabilities including mental retardation/developmental disability, emotional disturbance (at highest risk for substance abuse), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, blindness, and deafness. The digest points out that as many as 50% of spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries occur as a direct result of alcohol or drug abuse. Guidelines for prevention efforts include more comprehensive research-based school programs, community and family involvement, training for special education teachers and counselors in substance abuse education for this population, and increased advocacy efforts for appropriate prevention and treatment options. (Contains 10 references.) (DB)