Identifying risk and protective factors that serve as predictors of substance use is essential for developing effective prevention programs. Inconsistency in the data about the role of religion and spirituality as a protective factor for African Americans continues to exist. In this study, data were collected from 511 African American youth, ages 12 to 18, who attended a state-funded drug prevention program. Participants completed several questionnaires designed to identify risk and protective characteristics as well as the prevalence of their substance use prior to interventions. Overall, protective factors were more likely to predict substance use than risk factors, and church attendance was the only variable that consistently negatively predicted substance use. Suggestions are included for further research. (Contains 10 references and 5 tables.) (JDM)