* Prevalence for all substances except alcohol and tobacco was lower in 1990 for all ethnic groups. * Alcohol consumption between 1988 and 1990 increased most dramatically among Blacks: lifetime prevalence rose from 64 percent in 1988 to 83 percent in 1990 (Figure 4). * Hispanic lifetime alcohol prevalence rose slightly between 1988 and 1990 from 74 percent to 81 percent. Among Whites, lifetime alcohol prevalence was essentially unchanged between 1988 and 1990, bringing all three ethnic groups to approximately the same level of lifetime use (82 percent). 1990 Substance Use and Gender * Lifetime alcohol use between 1988 and 1990 rose 10 percent among female students (from 74 to 81 percent), which means their level of use is now almost the same as males. * Between 1988 and 1990, females showed greater decreases in use than males for all substances except inhalants and uppers, which showed equal decrease in both genders, and hallucinogens, which showed a greater decrease among males. * Although males and females reported approximately the same lifetime prevalence of any illicit drug (about 39 percent) in 1988, 1990 results show that female prevalence is now slightly lower (22 percent versus 28 percent for males) (Figure 5). Fig 5 Lifetime Prevalence of Selected Substances, Second- ary Students by Gender, 1988 and 1990 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% ANY ILLICIT MARIJUANA COCAINE OR CRACK UPPERS DOWNERS 1988-MALE 1988-FEMALE 1990-MALE 1990-FEMALE * Use of steroids is almost exclusively a male phenomenon; current use by males is about 1 percent in grades seven through eleven, and almost zero among seniors. Since the survey was administered in the spring, this decline among seniors could be due to the end of their involvement with high school athletics.
50% 45% 40% 35% Fig 20 Lifetime Prevalence of Selected Substances, Secondary Students, 1988 and 1990 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% ANY ILLICIT DRUG MARIJUANA MARIJUANA ONLY COCAINE OR CRACK UPPERS DOWNERS 1988 1990 Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and the third most prevalent substance overall. Lifetime marijuana prevalence has dropped from 32 to 23 percent since 1988, and current prevalence dropped from 12 to 8 percent. Nine percent of seventh graders have used marijuana during their lifetime, compared to 38 percent of seniors. Thirteen percent of all students have used marijuana three or more times, and 4 percent used that often just in the month prior to the survey. Hispanic youth have the highest lifetime (28 percent) and current (10 percent) prevalence for marijuana, whereas Black youth have the lowest (16 percent lifetime, 4 percent current). Urban students are more likely than non- urban students to have used marijuana (25 percent versus 21 percent). 14% 12% 10% 8% Fig 21 Percentage of Students Attending Class While High on Alcohol, Marijuana, Inhalants or Other Drugs, By Number of Times, 1990 6% 4% 2% 0% ALCOHOL MARIJUANA INHALANTS OTHER DRUG
Fig C4 1990 TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY: ABOUT HOW MANY OF YOUR CLOSE FRIENDS USE... ALCOHOL (BEER, WINE COOLERS, WINE, HARD LIQUOR)? All Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 INHALANTS (SPRAY, GLUE, GASOLINE, ETC.)? All Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 MARIJUANA? All Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 * Less than 0.5%
Fig C8 1990 TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY IF YOU HAD A DRUG OR ALCOHOL PROBLEM AND NEEDED HELP, WHO WOULD YOU GO TO? A counselor or program in school A medical doctor A counselor or program outside of school Your friends Another adult in school Another adult (such as a relative, (such as a nurse or teacher) clergyman, or family friend) * Less than 0.5%