TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

EVANT ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with
the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University, administered a survey to students
in grades 7 through 12 in the Evant Independent School District (EISD). A total of 111 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs.
Of that number, 6 surveys were excluded from analysis because students did not indicate their
grade or age, or because they were identified as exaggerators (i.e., claimed to have used a
non-existent drug or reported overly excessive drug use). The final number of surveys included
in the overall district analysis was 105.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-seven percent of Evant ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen percent of Evant ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 7 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-five percent of Evant ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38 percent reported using alcohol during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Twenty percent of Evant ISD 9th through 12th grade students said they had driven a car
at least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink" (Fig. 11).

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 19 percent of Evant ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Nineteen* percent of Evant ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

1
The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: District
Survey Results." Due to the differences in rounding procedures, there may be slight discrepancies between the
percentages referred to in the tables and those reflected in the executive summary and in the corresponding
figures. Figures referenced throughout this report are included in "Part III: Executive Summary."

1
•Evant ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (32 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Evant ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Evant students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-five percent of Evant
ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-nine percent of Evant students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), 30 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), and 14 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Twenty-
six percent of district students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent
statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29* percent of EISD students (16
percent statewide), while 14* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 7 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a
daily basis (1 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Eleven
percent of EISD students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, in contrast
to the 5 percent reported by students statewide.

Alcohol

2
Data in this report marked with an asterisk are estimated to be statistically significant at the .01 level from
the comparable data for the state as a whole. This means that in only one of a hundred samples would a
difference this large have occurred when there was no difference between the district and state data. Differences
in very small districts will seldom be statistically significant due to the small number of cases. Differences that
are not marked may be important, but should be treated with more caution than those that are statistically
significant.

3
Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in the Spring of 1996.

4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Evant ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Evant ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those
reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-five percent of Evant students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-eight percent of Evant
ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (38 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Evant students are beer (55 percent/56 percent
statewide) and wine coolers (48 percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of EISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 28 percent
said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty-three percent of Evant ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent
of district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they
drink, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent). Lifetime
"binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 40 percent of EISD students (40 percent
statewide), while 19 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on
average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Evant students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty percent of EISD 9th through 12th grade
students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the
past year (15 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past
year was reported by 12 percent of district 9th through 12th graders, in contrast to the 4 percent
reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-four percent of Evant ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty-three percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 43
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 10 percent of EISD students (9 percent statewide).

Forty-three percent of Evant students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-six percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide), while 18 percent of EISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always (17 percent statewide).

3
Students were asked how many days during the school year they were absent from class due to
an illness or for some other reason, and how many days they had gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer EISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (14 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/44 percent
statewide). Seventy-one percent of the Evant students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 24 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
percent statewide).

Parental attitudes can be a major factor in whether or not a student uses alcohol or drugs. When
asked how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, 77 percent of Evant students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Six percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 15 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Evant ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Nineteen percent of Evant students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Three percent of Evant ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of EISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 1 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Nine percent of EISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Evant students was gasoline (9 percent/5 percent
statewide). Six percent of district students correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent statewide), 6
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled

5
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants
and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

4
paint thinner (5 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide)
at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered form
and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the Evant ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (34 percent). Twenty-one percent
of EISD students said they had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (25
percent statewide). Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them
an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives. Evant students
reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the past month and 5.1 times during their lifetimes.

Nineteen* percent of EISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 8 percent of Evant ISD students, compared to 16 percent of
students statewide (Fig. 2).

Six percent of EISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned"
on marijuana, half the rate reported by students statewide (13 percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under
the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 15 percent of Evant ISD
9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide).

Thirty-four* percent of EISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate considerably lower than that reported by their peers statewide (53 percent). Thirteen percent
of Evant students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by students statewide (21 percent). Four percent of district students said they
had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (6
percent statewide). Seventeen percent of the Evant ISD students said that marijuana and/or
other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (23
percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Evant students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (85 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a smaller number of Evant ISD students. The next most
frequently used illegal drug used among EISD students was uppers (16 percent), double the rate

5
reported by their counterparts statewide (8 percent). Seven percent of district students reported
using downers (6 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent
statewide), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 3 percent reported
using crack (3 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), and 1
percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig.
1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Evant ISD, however, female students were over two times more likely to have
used powdered cocaine, nearly three times more likely to have smoked marijuana, and over three
times more likely to have used uppers than were district male students. On the other hand, EISD
male students were the only reported users of crack in the district. There were no other
significant differences by gender among Evant ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco
products, alcohol, inhalants, hallucinogens, downers, steroids, or ecstasy.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Evant students said they would seek help from their friends (78 percent/74 percent statewide).
Sixty-three percent of EISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative
(58 percent statewide), and 59 percent said they would turn to their parents (54 percent
statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (32 percent/32 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4
percent of Evant students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug
use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-six* percent of Evant ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 75 percent of students
statewide. Fifty-seven* percent of EISD students said "an invited school guest" was a source for
information about drugs and alcohol, a rate considerably higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (38 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 50 percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide),
while 46 percent reported getting this information from a "health class" (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-five percent of Evant students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 84 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of EISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 69 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 35
percent of EISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide),
while 25 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide), rates lower
than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 13).