Among the major explanations of drug use, the current dominant sociological theories are anomie, control, and reference group. An analysis of self-reported drug use data was conducted, employing the assumptions of these theories. A stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that in predicting either individual types of drug use (marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco) or composite drug use, reference group theory was capable of providing the "best theoretical explanation" of that use. The evidence strongly suggests that the association factor as measured by reference group theory is the central causal factor in drug use.
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