Chapter 2. Comparisons with National and Other Texas Data annual survey Introduction of high school This section compares the Texas School Survey estimates on seniors in 1975. substance use to national prevalence data collected through the The study was Moni- toring the Future Study, conducted by the Institute for expanded in Social Re- search at the University of Michigan with support from 1991 to obtain the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).1 Substance use additional data trends in Texas are consistent with national trends, most on eighth and prominently in the increase in illicit drug use among secondary tenth graders. students since 1992, especially marijuana use (see Figures 2.1 and The 2.2). This trend toward increased use and abuse of marijuana is corroborated by other substance-related indicators in arrests for marijuana sale and posses- sion and Substance use treatment admissions for a primary problem of marijuana are trends in Texas are increasing. similar to national Based on the national survey, the Office of National Drug trends, most Con- trol Policy issued a report stressing the significance of the prominently in the trend of increased illicit drug use after a number of years of increase in illicit drug declining use.2 use among There is concern that prevention efforts must be critically secondary students evaluated since 1992, for effectiveness and ensure that new generations are targeted. especially marijuana There is also concern regarding marjiuana as a gateway use. substance—that its increased use will lead to an increase in other illicit drug use. Comparisons to the National Survey The Monitoring the Future surveys collected data on prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use from large representative samples of students from across the nation. Questions regarding attitudes, beliefs, and the social milieu (such as availability and were included. The Monitoring the peers’ use) Future Study began its
Chapter 2. Comparisons with National and Other Texas Data Introduction This section compares the Texas School Survey estimates on substance use to national prevalence data collected through the Moni- toring the Future Study, conducted by the Institute for Social Re- search at the University of Michigan with support from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).1 Substance use trends in Texas are consistent with national trends, most prominently in the increase in illicit drug use among secondary students since 1992, especially marijuana use (see Figures 2.1 and 2.2). This trend toward increased use and abuse of marijuana is corroborated by other substance-related indicators in arrests for marijuana sale and posses- sion and treatment admissions for a primary problem of marijuana are increasing. Based on the national survey, the Office of National Drug Con- trol Policy issued a report stressing the significance of the trend of increased illicit drug use after a number of years of declining use.2 There is concern that prevention efforts must be critically evaluated for effectiveness and ensure that new generations are targeted. There is also concern regarding marjiuana as a gateway substance—that its increased use will lead to an increase in other illicit drug use. Comparisons to the National Survey The Monitoring the Future surveys collected data on prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use from large representative samples of students from across the nation. Questions regarding attitudes, beliefs, and the social milieu (such as availability and peers’ use) were included. The Monitoring the Future Study began its annual survey of high school seniors in 1975. The study was expanded in 1991 to obtain additional data on eighth and tenth graders. The Substance use trends in Texas are similar to national trends, most prominently in the increase in illicit drug use among secondary students since 1992, especially marijuana use.
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