The study did not find any significant gender differences in the substance-use histories reported, except for opiate use, which was significantly higher among the male students. Neither was there a significant difference by gender for the reported family history of alcoholism. These findings suggest the need to modify gender-related assumptions underlying much of the research on substance use and abuse; however, these findings must be replicated in other samples for confirmation. The students surveyed were enrolled in an urban community college in the Mid-Atlantic region. Questionnaires were administered to intact classes that were part of the general education requirements for students of all majors. The questionnaire was a composite of revisions of sections of the Student Drinking Information Scale, the Family History of Alcoholism Scale, and the Khavari-Douglass Psychotropics Questionnaire. 10 tables and 140 references