A test of magnitude: does the strength of predictors explain differences in drug use among adolescents?

Prior research has provided much needed information on the association between gender, race, predictive factors, and drug use. However, none have provided conclusive evidence regarding the extent to which gender and race differences, or their interaction, in adolescent drug use is accounted for by predictors. Using data on adolescents in four public schools, this study examined variations in the comparative strength of predictors of self-reported drug use. Data were collected as part of an ongoing longitudinal study of a federally funded multi-model program intervention for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among high risk youth. Analysis of variance was used to examine gender by race differences in predictors and drug use and logistic regression was used to assess the comparative strength of predictors of adolescent drug use and to explore the effect of gender by race on the decision to use drugs. Findings indicated, in general, whites, both male and female, had a significantly stronger positive association between predictors and drug use relative to blacks. Regarding the effect of gender by race on the decision to use drugs, these data indicate, with or without adjustments, white females were most likely to use gateway substances, followed by white males.