Results indicate that the role of the family is a significant protective factor against the recurrence of substance abuse among adolescent females, despite their gang affiliation and street orientation. Specifically, findings revealed that positive family relationships, and in particular, positive mother-daughter relationships provided protective factors against the recurrence of alcohol and tobacco use. The family’s ability to cope with difficulties, stress, and conflict were also significant in reducing the recurrence of illicit drug use. The findings underscore the importance of including family members in any substance abuse intervention, prevention, or treatment programming for Hispanic adolescents, particularly females. Data were drawn from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of 150 Mexican-American gang-affiliated females between the ages of 14 and 18 years who were recruited for participation from the westside of San Antonio. Recruitment methods included field-intensive outreach and snow-ball sampling. Participants completed self-report surveys and a comprehensive 2-hour life-history intensive interview. Variables under consideration included substance abuse history, ethnic identity, family structure and background, family interactions, stress, and relationship with the mother. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses. Future research should focus more specifically on the role of social class, immigration status, and ethnicity on the substance abuse behavior of Hispanic females involved in gang or street life. Tables, references