Association Between Violent Behaviors and Substance use Among Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic White High School Students

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey was administered to 1786 high school students in southeast Texas to determine the prevalence of violent behaviours among Mexican-American & non-Hispanic students & to explore associations between violent behaviours & alcohol & illicit drug use. The relationship between suicide plans or attempts & substance use was not clear among the 4 gender- & ethnic-specific subgroups. Nearly 15% of males & over 20% of females reported having planned suicide in the past year.