Alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco are the substances most commonly used by young people—and they’re easier to get than many adults realize. When these products are readily available in our communities, research shows that youth use goes up, along with the risks that come with it.
of 7th—12th graders in Texas
have used alcohol.
of 7th—12th graders in Texas
have used cannabis.
of 7th—12th graders in Texas
have used some form of tobacco.
Alcohol use is one of the biggest threats to the health and safety of Texas kids — the earlier they start, the greater the risk.
Cannabis use is a growing concern. Today’s products are stronger, easier to find, and often look harmless.
Tobacco is deadly, and earlier use means a greater risk of serious, life-long health consequences.
New and emerging products are also showing up every day—many designed to catch the attention of younger audiences. From alcopops to cannabis to vape products, these items are often cheap, easy to find, and have bright packaging, cartoon imagery, and sweet flavors that make these products appealing.
The more places that sell these products—especially when many are clustered in one area—the more kids are exposed to them. Their growing availability puts youth at greater risk of early use and long-term harm.
Protecting kids from the harms of substance use means giving them the best chance to thrive. Our work focuses on what research shows truly makes a difference in protecting youth and strengthening communities. We’re currently putting our efforts into these key projects:
Compliance checks are a proven way to limit youth access. TxSDY partners with law enforcement and communities across Texas to expand and strengthen these checks – especially for alcohol-to-go orders.
Limiting access to cannabis is key to keeping youth safe. TxSDY works to prevent these products from reaching young people by supporting strong, research-based public health policies.
More stores selling alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis in a community means easier access for youth. TxSDY is working to limit the number of stores selling these products to help prevent early use and keep communities safer.
We focus on alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco because they’re the substances young people use most and are most readily available in our communities. At the same time, we stay responsive to emerging issues, stepping in when new challenges arise. Our past efforts have included organizing Prescription Drug Takeback Campaigns and helping prevent powdered alcohol from hitting Texas shelves. We’ll continue to follow the data and take research-based action as new threats appear in communities across the state.
P.O. Box 40365
Austin, TX 78704
512.442.7501
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