STUDY: TEXAS STUDENTS' USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS ROSE IN 1996

AUSTIN - Use of illegal drugs by Texas students in seventh through 12th
grade increased in 1996, continuing an upward trend since 1992, according to
a study released Wednesday by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug
Abuse.

About 34 percent of all secondary students in 1996 had used some type of
illicit substance during their lifetime, up from 22 percent in 1992, but
still below the 1988 rate of 39 percent, the study said.

The survey, conducted by TCADA every two years, was based on responses from
nearly 107,000 students in more than 70 school districts in grades seven
through 12.

Marijuana use increased in 1996 with 31 percent of secondary students saying
they had tried it at least once, up from 20 percent in 1992, but still just
below the peak of 32 percent in 1988.

"Alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance among Texas
secondary students," the study said.

"In many ways, curtailing alcohol consumption is more problematic than
reducing the use of illicit drugs because of the availability of alcohol and
the perception among adolescents that drinking alcohol is not as dangerous
as using other drugs."

The survey revealed six strategies to help keep kids off drugs, including
encouraging a child to participate in extracurricular activities.

According to the study, students who participate in extracurricular
activities have positive relations with parents and friends while also being
less likely to use or experiment with illegal drugs.

The five other ways for parents to keep their kids off drugs, according to
the survey, are:

•Show support for children in school events.

•Encourage children to have healthy relationships with friends.

•Talk to children. Make sure they know that use of drugs is unacceptable.

•Support substance abuse prevention programs at school.

•Encourage children to work at getting good grades.

Students earning grades of C or lower report two to three times as much drug
use as students earning A's and B's, the study said.

Those participating in three or more extracurricular activities were much
less likely to report they smoked marijuana, the survey said.

The study was based on the responses of 106,924 secondary students in 72
school districts. The sample contained 51,103 males (48 percent) and 55,558
females (52 percent).

Of the sample, 45 percent were Anglos, 16 percent were African-Americans, 31
percent were Hispanics, and 8 percent were of other races.