This study was conducted to determine the effects of extracurricular participation on student drug and alcohol use in secondary schools. The study surveyed students in grades 5 through 12 who participated in athletics, government/clubs, and music/drama. Data were collected from 5,639 students from four midwestern schools in suburban/rural settings. The findings revealed that over 70% of the students were involved in one or more extracurricular activities. Twenty-four percent of students in grades 5-12 were involved in athletics, 6.3 percent in government/clubs, and 13.5 percent in music/drama. Twenty-eight percent reported involvement in more than one activity during the school year. Non-participation was greatest in the 12th grade with over 33% of students indicating they did not participate in extracurricular activities. Students were surveyed in reference to use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, stimulants and depressants, inhalants, hallucinogens, over-the-counter drugs, and cocaine. Results of the study suggest that extracurricular participation was a factor in reducing student experimentation and use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Students who participated in extracurricular activities were less likely to use drugs than their counterparts who did not participate. Experimentation and use varied with the type of activity. (NB)