(KGNS) - The Laredo Drug and Alcohol Commission is addressing a rise in youth substance use and a spike in cocaine detected in wastewater.

Laredo Police Department Assistant Chief Ricardo Gonzalez said he has seen an increase in THC and vape pen use among younger people.

At a commission meeting, an anonymous 2024 Texas school survey of students in grades seven through 12 on alcohol and drug use was reviewed by Gonzalez and newly appointed Commission Chair Marina Medina."These anonymous surveys...they are very informative, and we actually want to bring it here to the schools, so that we can know more of what's happening in our schools," Medina said.