The results are presented of an "Alcohol Education Traffic Safety Program" for students in kindergarten through grade 6, which was piloted in 20 Chicago (Illinois) public schools during April, May and June of 1987. Research indicates that the younger children are when they begin abusing alcohol, the higher the probability that they will become hard-core alcohol abusers, thus justifying alcohol education at a very early age. The "Starting Early" program was initiated to determine its effectiveness in urban, multiracial, multicultural settings; it includes seven sets of instruction modules (one each for kindergarten through grade 6) to assist elementary school students in making "best interest" decisions about alcohol use and traffic safety. Each module contains five lessons, and to implement the program, four primary, middle, and upper grade classroom teachers were identified in each of the 20 schools. About 2,000 students (68% black) were enrolled in the 72 classrooms using "Starting Early" modules. Based on a comparison-group design, it was found that students in grades 3, 4, and 5 made significant gains in knowledge, but sixth graders did not. Student and teacher questionnaires assessed participant satisfaction with the program. Teachers believed that the program would probably (57% of teachers) or definitely (41%) have an impact on their students' behavior. Likewise, the children strongly agreed that they learned things in the program that will do them good. The program helped students build sources of support, thus strengthening their will to resist the lure of alcohol and illegal substances. Four tables present study results. (Author/SLD)