The Texas School Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use is an annual collection of self-reported tobacco, alcohol, inhalant, and substance (both licit and illicit) use data from among elementary and/or secondary students in individual districts throughout the state of Texas. The survey, conducted by the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) in conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is available for students in grades 4 through 6 and grades 7 through 12.

The Texas School Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use has been conducted in Texas school districts since 1988. Local school district surveys are offered every year, with a statewide survey conducted every two years. The survey covers not only prevalence of substance use, but also other factors affecting youth substance use and students’ attitudes toward substance use.

A corresponding statewide survey using identical survey instruments is conducted every two years. Data from the statewide sampling are incorporated into an over-time database maintained by DSHS to track trends in substance use so that policymakers at the state level have up-to-date information upon which to base decisions and plot prevention strategies. These data also serve as an overall standard of comparison for use by those at the district level to interpret, and act upon, local survey findings in a similar way.

For more information on how to enroll your district for the survey or if you have questions that are not answered in the materials here, please visit our Contact Us page.