Relative Deviance and the Process(es) of Drug Involvement among Inner-City Youths

Abstract

This paper reviews critically research that has examined the relationship of psychological and sociocultural factors to nonmedical drug use among youths and young adults. Developing from this review, a theoretical framework and specific hypotheses are formulated to highlight the differential effects of these two sets of variables on the drug use of inner-city youths. The paper concludes with a discussion of the scientific, and treatment and prevention, implications of the model.