To develop and evaluate psychometric properties of a new instrument, the drug use resistance self-efficacy (DURSE) scale, designed for young adolescents. Scale construction occurred in 3 phases: (1) initial development, (2) pilot testing of preliminary items, and (3) final scale administration among a sample of seventh graders (n=223) to examine psychometric properties. DURSE items appeared to tap a unique dimension of resistance self-efficacy. Initial psychometric properties of the scale were satisfactory. The DURSE scale may offer an opportunity to measure important, as yet untapped, constructs related to adolescents' abilities to refuse substance use in social contexts.