This paper examines the links between various personal and social risk factors and drug use among youth living in rural communities. Data were collected through self-report surveys administered to 1,656 7th- and 8th-grade students and 1,205 11th- and 12th-grade students in 9 rural communities with populations ranging from 451 to 18,400. Surveys included the American Drug and Alcohol Survey (a drug use survey) and the Prevention Planning Survey, which measures a wide range of characteristics linked to adolescent drug use. Students were assigned to three groups--high, moderate, and no drug use--based on current level and type of drug use, and the prevalence of various risk and protective factors was examined for each group. A discussion of peer cluster theory focuses on the basic premise of adolescent drug use as a group activity that takes place in small peer clusters with group norms for drug use. Variables analyzed include drug use of friends, peer encouragement to use or avoid drugs, school adjustment, school adjustment of peers, participation in formal school or community activities, family stability and support, family sanctions against drugs and communication about drug dangers, family involvement in school activities, depression, low self-esteem, anger, need for excitement and risk taking, delinquency, violent behavior, and victimization. (Contains 102 references and 14 figures.) (SV)