Adolescents continue to use alcohol and other drugs despite the profound risks to their health. This thesis examines the attitudes of students in grades 7-9 toward alcohol and other nonprescriptive mind-altering substances. Eight independent variables were investigated: (1) gender; (2) grade placement; (3) DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) participation status; (4) family structure; (5) alcohol use; (6) nonprescriptive mind altering substance use; (7) knowledge of alcohol; and (8) knowledge of nonprescriptive mind altering substances. The sample consisted of 233 students. Results appeared to support the following generalizations: students who use alcohol have a positive attitude toward drinking; gender, grade placement, and DARE participation status should be interpreted concurrently for attitude toward drinking; the independent variables gender and grade placement should be interpreted concurrently for the dependent variable Attitude Toward Nonprescriptive Mind Altering Substance Use; and the independent variables family structure, alcohol use, and knowledge of alcohol should be interpreted concurrently for the dependent variable Attitude Toward Nonprescriptive Mind Altering Substance Use. Implications of the study suggest that school officials should develop programs to reduce alcohol and substance abuse of middle and high school students and communities, in general, should focus greater attention on the use and abuse of alcohol and other substances. Appended are various pieces of correspondence, survey instruments, summary tables of alcohol use and substance use, and instructions for students. Contains 40 references. (RJM)