The sample was drawn from a larger sample that was surveyed either in fall 1978 or in fall 1980. Results showed a stable, sequential, and cumulative hierarchy of drug use in all grades. Regression analysis of psychosocial variables found that the age at first use; the frequency of use of marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes; and the amount of available spending money emerged as significant predictors of use, but with little differences in predictors between the six drug categories. Results also showed that drug use starts with the use of a legal substance such as alcohol or tobacco and proceeds through the use of marijuana before involving the use of other illegal drugs. However, the use of any particular drug does not necessarily lead to the use of other drugs further along the sequence. The results confirmed other studies showing the prevalence as well as the intensity of drug use related to students' grade, academic goals, and spending money. Discussion of research implications, tables, and 21 references