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Indicator 1: Youth Substance Use
The Texas Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use reports that tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants were found to be the most commonly reported substance use in the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Substance use among secondary students surveyed indicates that use increases by grade level, with the exception of inhalants (Figure 8-7). Most AISD students surveyed reported that they perceived use of these substances as harmful. However, these perceptions of harmfulness decreased at the secondary level as usage increased (AISD, 2000).
Findings (AISD, 2000)
- Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana reported a trend in use with increases in each grade.
- The highest incidence of reported use of inhalants occurs in the 7th and 8th grades.
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Youth Alcohol Use
Findings (AISD, 1999)
- Alcohol remains the most commonly reported drug used in the state, as a whole, and within AISD.
- Alcohol usage rates remained constant across all grade levels in 1998-99 compared to the previous year.
- Fourth graders showed a four percent decrease while sixth graders showed a five percent increase, as compared to the 1997-1998 school year.
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Youth Tobacco Use - Grades 7-12
Findings (AISD, 1999)
- Fourth grade surveys indicate a small decrease in the 1998-1999 school year in comparison with the previous year.
- Sixth grade surveys indicate a small increase in the 1998-1999 school year in comparison with the previous year.
- Grades seven through ten report decreases in use (1998-99) as compared to the previous year.
- Grades eleven through twelve report slight increases (1998-99) as compared to the previous year.
- AISD students reporting ever using tobacco (57 percent) is lower than national reports (70 percent).
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Youth Marijuana Use
Findings (AISD, 1999)
- AISD survey reported marijuana use is similar to national reports but is slightly higher than the state's average.
- Recent usage shows a slight decrease in all grades except 5th, 6th, and 12th grades.
- Students reporting ever using marijuana were higher among 6th graders at 13 percent.
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Youth Inhalant Use
Findings (AISD, 1999)
- AISD survey reported inhalant use is similar to national reports
- Highest use rates are found between 6th to 9th grades.
- In the 1998-1999 school year, reported inhalant use dropped in all grades
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School Discipline Referrals
In Travis County, there is reason to be concerned that substance abuse issues are an increasing public health problem among our youth. AISD reports that substance use or possession by students is growing over time. In fact, datum indicate that over the last two years, rates have worsened with the following trends (AISD, 2000):
- Substance Discipline Referrals during the 1999-2000, versus the previous four years (see Figure 8-12) have increased. However, AISD notes that a change and improvement in their data tracking system may account for some of the increases in referrals.
- Most of the substance abuse incidents are occurring at the high school level.
- Seventy-five percent more males than females are being referred for drug use.
- Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants are the most commonly used substances.
- Marijuana is the most common drug found in the possession of students (AISD, 2000).
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