Drug use is positively correlated with which of the following?

The correct choice highlights the relationship between drug use and the rejection of traditional cultural systems. Research indicates that when individuals or groups distance themselves from established cultural norms and values, they may be more likely to engage in behaviors that are considered unconventional, such as drug use. This can stem from a variety of factors, including a quest for identity, rebellion against societal expectations, or the search for alternative means of coping with stress and challenges.

The correlation observed suggests that individuals who may feel alienated or disconnected from their cultural roots might seek out substances as a way to cope with that disenfranchisement or to align themselves with new social circles that embrace such behaviors. Understanding this dynamic is important for professionals in the field, as it underscores the need for culturally sensitive approaches in prevention and intervention strategies.

The other options, while they may describe certain social phenomena, do not align in the same way with the established correlations seen in drug use patterns. Higher educational attainment, higher income levels, and lower rates of mental health disorders tend to share a more complex relationship with drug use that does not align as directly with the outlined correct choice.