This research examines both risk and protective factors in the frequency of drug and alcohol use by Alabama public school students in grades six through 12. Factors are measured at the individual and county level. The data on both levels were obtained by the Substance Abuse Services Division of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. The results of data analysis—comprising hierarchical linear modeling techniques (HLM)—show that, overall, the individual protective factors do reduce student use of alcohol and drugs, controlling for certain risk factors. The county-level structural-disadvantage factor, however, operates in direction opposite to expectations. According to the results, structural disadvantage reduces rather than increases student use of all drugs. The implications of the important role structural variables play in individual drug use are discussed.
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