A "typical" student is a first time offender charged with a first offense involving paraphernalia or misdemeanor drug possession. They are usually Probation or Judge referrals and pre-court referrals. Predominately a younger student, the need calls for a secondary prevention curriculum. The aim of secondary prevention is to identify those individuals who are abusing alcohol or other drugs and to refer them for appropriate intervention. Alcohol or other drug use has become a problem, which requires DES intervention.

DES students have suffered at the very least a serious legal consequence due to their usage making them prime secondary prevention intervention targets. At this early stage of their usage, they need an education that not only gives them the "truth" about alcohol and other drugs, but also allows them a process to help assimilate this information into their own personal lives. The process gives the student an opportunity to develop a personal substance usage plan that will facilitate living a successful life.