Psychosocial studies generally agree that four types of factors are associated with drug use and drug abuse: (1) cultural and societal, (2) family, (3) peer, and (4) personality and attitudes. Recent and ongoing research also indicates that physiological and genetic factors are also involved in causing drug abuse. Numerous theories and research studies have also focused on the linkages among various types of factors. Parental identification with traditional values and behavior are associated with the development of a parent-child relationship, which in turn is associated with the child's internalization of parental values and leads the child to associate with non-drug-using peers and not to use drugs. Research has also focused on comorbidity resulting from the links between drug abuse and mental health problems, the relationship between drug use and other problem behaviors, and the possibility that the accumulation of multiple risks may be more important than those of any particular risk. A multidisciplinary approach to prevention is essential. Efforts should start at an early age and should focus applying research findings to strengthen protective factors and address risk factors. Figure and 70 references