Synthetic-dynamic theory of drug abuse: a revisit with empirical data.

A revised version of the synthetic-dynamic theory of drug abuse is presented. A partial test of the validity of the theory is implemented through a drug survey taken in November 1979 involving 14,594 students in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Utilizing multiple regression analysis, 50.08% (R = .708) of the total variation in student drug involvement is explained by four components operating jointly. An examination of individual standardized regression coefficients indicates that the drug attitude component accounts for the largest change in the dependent variable, followed by the environmental, the socialization, and (responsible for the least change) the personal discontent components. On the basis of these findings, the implications for future drug education models and prevention policies are examined.