Two methods were used: a focus group and a self-administered survey implemented in classrooms. The purpose of the focus group was to collect qualitative information regarding youths' access to drugs and weapons and to use this information for the development of survey items. The student survey provided quantitative data regarding perceptions of youth access to drugs and weapons. The student survey was conducted in spring 1995 and included items on health-related behaviors, psychosocial factors associated with health behaviors, and items on perceptions of access to tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, knives, and firearms. The data presented in this report were collected as part of an ongoing randomized trial entitled the Chicago African-American Youth Health Behavior Project (AAYP). All 12 of the AAYP schools were used for this descriptive study on drug and weapons. At least one-third of this sample of fifth-grade students living in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago responded that it was easy for people their age to obtain each of the following products: tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, knives, and firearms. Across products, family members were the least likely source of products, and neighborhood sources were the most likely sources perceived to be easy. 5 tables and 17 references