Substance Use Among Houston High School Students: A Cause for Concern

Strategic Insights -

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has seen a concerning trend among its high school students. While substance use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana has declined, there is a growing concern around the use of other, illicit drugs. According to a recent paper from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, nicotine vaping, methamphetamine, and opioid use have increased among HISD students. This alarming trend is affecting the mental health of students, who may be using substances as a coping mechanism, exacerbating underlying issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) found that nicotine vaping, methamphetamine, and opioid use have increased among HISD students.
  • The paper recommends policy changes to make naloxone easily accessible across the Houston area, including keeping it on campus.
  • Evidence-based substance use prevention programs and supportive interventions are advocated over zero-tolerance policies.
  • Students struggling with mental health challenges, such as anxiety, trauma, and ADHD, are at a higher risk of substance use.
  • Outside factors, including poverty, family issues, neighborhood conditions, and Houston's role as a drug trafficking hub, can influence student drug use.
  • HISD can leverage existing community resources, such as Communities in Schools and Harris County's Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG), to address substance use and mental health needs.
  • The CRCG brings providers together to serve families and children with diverse needs, including intellectual development and disabilities, mental health, behavioral health, substance use, and legal representation.
  • Katharine Neill Harris argues that schools should partner with the community to support students' mental health and address substance use.

Statistics:

  • According to the YRBS, 12-17-year-olds who experienced a major depressive episode in the past year are more than twice as likely to use substances, including alcohol, nicotine, and illicit substances.
  • In 2020, Texas ranked among the states with the highest rates of methamphetamine use, with Houston being a major distribution hub (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
  • A 2020 survey found that 44% of teenagers aged 13-18 believed that substance use was risky, but 62% believed that e-cigarettes were less harmful than traditional tobacco products (Source: Truth Initiative).

Sources:

  • Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
  • Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
  • The paper by Katharine Neill Harris (Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy)
  • Communities in Schools
  • Harris County's Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG)
  • Harris County Resources for Children and Adults (HCRCA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Truth Initiative