Consistent with previous studies, academic achievement and peer drug use were found to be significant predictors of adolescent drug use among high-risk urban African-American adolescents. The findings indicate that participants who report lower academic achievement or having peers that engage in drug use are more likely to consume alcohol and smoke marijuana than their counterparts in the past 30 days. Findings suggest that prevention interventions should target at-risk youth and aim to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors. The findings also suggest that there should be a special focus on positive and negative peer influence. Qualitative studies should be conducted to acquire a better understanding of the meaning of living in an urban city for African-American adolescents as it relates to drug use. African-American youth are disproportionately exposed to environmental risk factors that contribute to substance use. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk and protective role that academic achievement, peer drug use, and neighborhood attachment have on alcohol and marijuana use for at-risk urban African-American adolescents. Participants in the study were 291 urban African-American adolescents (ages 11 to 18 years) who were identified as at-risk. References