This study focuses on depression and substanceuse in Puerto Rican primary care patients, age50 and older, recruited from five clinics inHartford, CT (n = 303). One-third of theparticipants screened positive for depressionusing the Center for EpidemiologicStudies-Depression scale, and 16 percent eitherreported excessive alcohol use, prescriptiondrug abuse, and/or illegal drug use in the pastyear. Correlates of depression include youngerage, female gender, being separated ordivorced, low perceived adequacy of income,poor health status, functional limitations, fewemotional supports, and a history of an ``ataquede nervios.'' Younger age, male gender, lowperceived adequacy of income, few emotionalsupports, suicidal ideation, and a history ofan ``ataque de nervios'' were associated withsubstance use. While the relationship betweenexcessive alcohol use and a higher rate ofdepression did not reach statisticalsignificance, drug use was a strong predictorof depression, particularly prescription drugabuse. However substance use did notsignificantly affect the likelihood of seekingtreatment for depression. These findingsunderscore the need for appropriateinterventions for those at risk for depressionamong the Puerto Rican population.