The Alcohol Safety Program allows youth to learn about the short- and long-term effects  of alcohol in a group setting of their peers. This three-hour class involves group discussions, peer interviewing, and classroom instruction. The participants are first asked to interview someone in the room and then introduce that person to the class and the instructor. A list of key questions is provided on the white board. After introductions the instructor interviews each participant about the circumstances that led them to the class. The introduction/interview process is followed by a short break after which the participants are introduced to risks associated with teen drinking.

• alcohol poisoning from binge drinking and party games
• unwanted pregnancy
• rape
• auto accidents

Alcohol's effects on the body are discussed, showing the path from ingestion to contact with the brain. The participants are then introduced to the reward mechanisms in the human brain that are affected by alcohol (and how this can potentially lead to addiction) as well as impairments in judgment, balance, and coordination. Other areas include:

• heredity
• BAC
• legal implications
• proof/percent (in different types of alcohol)
• tolerance
• advertising targeting teens

Occasionally some participants’ exhibit behaviors that indicate a need for further professional interventions. These individuals are referred to an assessment with a qualified professional. Participants that successfully finish the class are awarded a certificate of completion.

Valley Court Diversion Programs also runs a Cannabis Education Class that is structured in much the same way, but with a focus on the effects of marijuana and other common recreational drugs