About the Indicator:

Alcohol is the most frequently used substance nationally and statewide, and is associated with a number of adverse health and social consequences. Reported use of alcohol in the past 30 days is a common measure of recent alcohol use. In Minnesota, it is illegal for a person under age 21 to consume alcohol.

According to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, any past 30 day alcohol use was reported by 24.4% of 9th graders and 39.2% of 11th graders nationally.

According to 2013 MSS data, compared to 8th, 9th, and 11th graders who reported past-30 day alcohol use, those who DIDN'T report alcohol use were 2.6 times less likely to report past-year suicidal ideation; 1.8 times less likely to report problems with feeling depressed in the past year; 1.6 times less likely to report feeling anxious in the past year; 2.5 times less likely to report self harm in the past year; 1.4 times less likely to report past-month bullying victimization; 2 times less likely to report not feeling safe in their neighborhoods; 1.9 times less likely to report not being able to talk to their parents about problems; and 2.3 times less likely to report their parents only care about them some, a little, or not at all.

On the other hand, compared to those students who DID report past 30-day alcohol use, those who DIDN'T report use were 1.7 times more likely to report better teacher-student relationships; 1.4 times more likely to report greater educational engagement; 1.6 times more likely to report that the adults in their communities care about them quite a bit or very much; and 1.2 times more likely to report weekly participation in community activities.

Further, those students who reported using alcohol monthly or more often were 1.8 times more likely to think that most students in their school also drank monthly or more often, as compared to those who didn't drink. The association was even stronger in the other direction: students who think most of their peers use monthly or more often were 6.7 times more likely themselves to report using alcohol that often.


"N/A" indicates that the data are unavailable or were not collected. "*" indicates the data are unreliable as a result of small sample sizes or other reasons.

Data Source: Minnesota Student Survey (MSS)

Description: The MSS is a confidential and anonymous self-administered survey given to students attending Minnesota public, charter and tribal schools. From 1995 to 2010, the survey was administered to students in 6th, 9th, and 12th grades. New in 2013, the survey was administered to students in 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grades. Trend data are now only available for 9th graders, and only for survey questions that did not change. Most schools elect to participate in the survey; in 2013, this included 84% of public schools in Minnesota.

Although the data are not presented here, the survey is also administered to area learning centers, juvenile correction facilities and private schools electing to participate.

Sponsored by: Minnesota Department of Education

Geographic Level: State, Region, and County

Aggregated data at the state and county level do not reveal disparities that may exist within a given geographic area.

Frequency: Data collected and reported every three years

Characteristics: The results of the MSS are also available at a county level. Data Privacy requirements mandate that data is presented in a manner such that no individual student can be identified through the presentation of the results. As part of the Data Privacy practices, the results are also presented in a manner that no individual school district could be identified through the results. Therefore, for counties that have only one school district, the results are not presented. Results are also withheld for counties in which the minimum number for student participation was not met.

The MSS is a “census” of schools, not a sample. The school districts get their own data. Fifth-graders were not asked all substance use questions. Some school districts do not participate, and student participation within the school district can vary widely. These data are self-reported.