Objective: This study investigated differences in the development of heavy drinking and
marijuana use among students in urban and rural areas and assessed whether any such
differences can be accounted for by locality differences in racial/ethnic makeup, social
disorganization/low social bonding, feelings of despondency and escapism, and the
availability of drugs. Method: Drawn from 62 South Dakota middle schools involved in a drug
prevention field trial, participating students were assigned to a locality category based on the …