Final answer:
The theory that emphasizes the actor's investment in societal conformity to reduce deviance is the social control theory, outlined by Travis Hirschi, which includes the concepts of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that emphasizes the importance of the actor's investment or stake in conformity in preventing deviant, criminal, and delinquent behavior, including drug abuse, is the social control theory. This theory is predicated on the strength of social bonds an individual has within society. Travis Hirschi, a proponent of social control theory, establishes four types of social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. These bonds show how deeply someone is integrated into society's norms, which then influences their likelihood to deviate from these norms.
For example, commitment indicates the investments we make in society. If an individual has invested in the community, such as through career or voluntary service, they have more to lose by engaging in criminal behavior compared to someone without these ties. As a consequence, they are more insulated from deviance due to their stake in maintaining conformity.