The results of the Reasons for Using Drugs Survey of Novacek and Raskin and the Drug Problem Inventory of the Tulsa Police Department show that 11, 16, and 4 percent of middle schoolers and 23, 43, and 12 percent of high schoolers in rural Oklahoma smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and smoke marijuana on a regular basis, respectively. In addition, between 2 and 3 percent of middle schoolers and 2 and 5 percent of high schoolers use other drugs such as inhalants, amphetamines, and barbiturates. The five main reasons for drug use cited were a need for belonging, coping, pleasure, creativity, and aggression. These different reasons for using drugs also related to the frequency of drug use. Age, gender, and user differences were identified, and their implications for the development and delivery of substance abuse prevention and programs are discussed in reference to a social identity model of human behavior. 5 tables and 48 references