Substance Use and
Misuse

The abuse of alcohol and drugs will interfere with a student’s ability to reach their full potential. Watch an FISD-produced presentation about the dangers, early warning signs, and prevention strategies for students regarding alcohol, vaping, marijuana, and fentanyl.

FISD Substance Abuse Prevention 

District substance abuse prevention efforts use the dissemination of information as well as group and individual counseling to discourage and bring awareness to the consequences of alcohol abuse and drug use. FISD counselors and student assistance coordinators offer general counseling and referrals to substance abuse treatment agencies in the community for those with alcohol or other drug-related problems. Additional prevention efforts include:

  • Providing individual and group education, prevention and awareness activities.

  • Providing individual counseling sessions.

  • Providing school-wide student-led prevention lessons in the classroom.

  • Promoting a healthy lifestyle for staff and students.

  • Addressing substance abuse prevention at the individual, school and community level.

  • Enforcing district policies plus local, state, and federal laws to address the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

  • A focus on enhancing protective factors and reducing risk factors.

  • A focus on enhancing school connectedness.

Risk vs Protective Factors

Efforts to improve child and adolescent health typically have featured interventions designed to address specific unhealthy behaviors such as tobacco, alcohol and drug use. However, results from a growing number of studies suggest greater health impact might be achieved by also enhancing protective factors that help children and adolescents avoid multiple behaviors that might put them at high risk of adverse health and educational outcomes.

Risk factors are individual or environmental characteristics, conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood that a negative outcome will occur. 

  • Isolated and few friends

  • Early academic failure

  • Early aggressive behaviors

  • Feeling unloved

Protective factors are individual or environmental characteristics, conditions or behaviors that reduce the effects of stressful life events; increase an individual’s ability to avoid risks or hazards; and promote social and emotional competence to thrive in all aspects of life. 

  • Community and school involvement

  • Supervised by parents

  • Positive adult role models, coaches, and mentors

  • Involved in religious and/or cultural activities

For more information on risk and protective factors, see “The 40 Developmental Assets." 

The Power of School Connectedness

Frisco ISD schools create a culture where everyone belongs, and school counselors help every student feel capable, cared for and connected. School connectedness is the belief by students that adults and peers in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals. Adolescents who feel connected to school:

  • Enjoy school more.

  • Have better attendance.

  • Have higher academic performance and graduation rates.

  • Have fewer behavioral problems.

  • Are more likely to achieve emotional health and well-being.

  • Have a commitment to do well in school.

  • And are less likely to:

    • Use drugs or alcohol.

    • Bully or be bullied.

    • Self-harm or have suicidal thoughts.

    • Exhibit disruptive or violent behavior.

    • Engage in adolescent sexual behavior.

When students feel connected to their campus, they have a higher chance of academic success and decreased risk of drug abuse, suicidal thoughts, bullying and other risky behaviors. 

Student Drug/Alcohol Statistics

In the United States

  • 41.4% of sixteen and seventeen year old persons reported consuming alcohol during their lifetime. 

  • 17.0% of these persons reported consuming alcohol in the last month.

  • 16.4% of sixteen and seventeen year old persons reported tobacco use during their lifetime and 4.8% reported use in the past month.

  • 21.4% of sixteen and seventeen year old persons reported nicotine vaping during their lifetime and

  • 9.6% reported vaping in the past month.

  • 24.3% of sixteen and seventeen year old persons reported that they had used marijuana at some point in their lives.  

  • 11.7% of sixteen and seventeen year old persons reported that they had used marijuana in the past month.

  • 84.6 of youth aged 12 to 17 perceived that parents would strongly disapprove of them trying marijuana once or twice.  

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health Collection Date 2020

In Texas

  • In 2019, 27.8% of students had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days.

  • 26.6% of students tried cigarette smoking even one or two puffs in their lifetime.  9.5% of students smoked cigarettes or cigars or used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days.  

  • 48.7% of students used an electronic vapor product including e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-hookahs, or hookah pens in their lifetime.  
    Marijuana remains the most widely used illicit drug among Texas youth.  33.5% of students reported marijuana use one or more times during their life.  17.7% of students reported marijuana used in the past 30 days.  

Source: Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Health Data Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2019

In Frisco

  • In 2021, 9% of 11th graders surveyed reported having at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month. 

  • 1% of 11th graders reported having a cigarette in the last month.  

  • 10% of 11th graders stated they have vaped or used an e-cigarette, even one or two puffs in their lifetime.  4% of 11th graders reported vaping or using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days.

  • 3% of 11th graders reported using marijuana in the past month. 

Source: Frisco ISD 2021-2022 High School Safe Schools Data

Warning Signs

Alcohol and drug users often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problems.

Psychological Warning Signs

  • Unexplained change in personality or attitude

  • Sudden mood swings, irritability or angry outbursts

  • Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness

  • Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”

  • Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid with no reason

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

  • Drop in attendance and performance at school

  • Unexplained need for money; may borrow or steal to get it

  • Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors

  • Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies

  • Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)

Physical warning signs

  • Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual

  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

  • Sudden weight loss or weight gain

  • Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits

  • Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing

  • Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

What Should Students Do?

Report the concern to an adult. In our district, students/parents have the ability to make an online or offline report. Students are informed at the beginning of school, as well as periodically during the school year, how to make a report.

Offline (in person)

  • Encourage your friend to go speak to the guidance counselor or other trusted adult at school or home.

  • If your friend will not seek help, you could make a confidential report to a staff member on his or her behalf. Once the report has been made, a staff member (usually the counselor) will contact the student about your concern. Unless you want your name used, your name will be kept confidential.

Online via the anonymous STOPit reporting system

  • Once you submit your online report, the message will be sent to the campus administrator or counselor, who will follow up on it.

What Can Parents Do?

A parent has a major impact on the child’s decision not to use drugs. Believe it or not, most students DO listen to their parents! Here are some ways a parent can help the child make healthy, drug-free choices:

  • Talk with, and listen to, your child. Talk often about the dangers of drug use, and start early. Even a child in the elementary grades is able to engage in conversations about staying healthy. Share your love by keeping your child safe.

  • Learn the facts about the harmful effects of drugs. Discuss their effects on the brain and body, and correct any wrong beliefs your child may have, such as “Everybody is doing it.” Discuss legal issues as well.

  • Provide guidance and clear rules about not using drugs.

  • Get involved in your child’s life, and encourage participation in family, school, and volunteer activities. Time together helps your child feel valued, safe, and connected.

  • Monitor your own substance use. A parent’s actions truly speak louder than words.

  • Know your child’s friends and their families. Remind your child that true friends support each other’s values.

  • Know your child’s location at all times.

  • Help your child learn different ways to resist negative peer pressure, such as saying, “No thanks, my parents would get really mad at me.”

Trust your “gut.” If you suspect drug or alcohol use, talk with your child about your concerns. Contact a substance abuse specialist or your child’s school counselor. The information will remain confidential.