More research into illicit substance abuse in rural African-American communities is needed. The existing literature indicates that patterns of use for licit substances (alcohol and cigarettes) are either similar for rural Blacks and Whites or lower for Blacks. However, the negative health and social consequences of smoking and abusive drinking are greater for African-Americans, and therefore substance abuse among African-Americans should be explained in the context of rural sociocultural factors as well as sociodemographic factors, including age, sex, income, and occupation. Moreover, the lack of research on the impact of recent substance abuse issues such as crack cocaine on rural black populations should make this a priority area for future research. Finally, research should go beyond comparisons of racial differences and similarities in patterns of substance abuse to an exploration of the social processes that lead to and sustain substance involvement. Data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study indicate that substance use behaviors of black youth, such as perceptions about the effects of drugs, differ across geographic location. Understanding the complex processes involved in the initiation and maintenance of drug use behaviors will require both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. (Contains 72 references.) (TD)