TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

GOLDTHWAITE ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Goldthwaite Independent School District (GISD). A total
of 197 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 19 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 178.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-seven percent of Goldthwaite ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Three percent of GISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 5
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-nine percent of Goldthwaite ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 43 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 26 percent of district 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 13 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 percent (Fig. 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."

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•Ten* percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 3* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

•Goldthwaite ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (77 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
in school (32 percent) or a counselor or program outside of school (34 percent)
(Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Goldthwaite ISD students is similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-seven percent of Goldthwaite students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-one percent of Goldthwaite ISD students
said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by students statewide (22 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-three percent of Goldthwaite students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Twenty-five percent of GISD students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily
basis was reported by 3 percent of district students (7 percent statewide), while 13 percent said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of GISD students (17
percent statewide), while 16* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5* percent of district
students (2 percent statewide), and 8 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless
tobacco (5 percent 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 Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

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

Sixty-nine percent of Goldthwaite students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-three percent of Goldthwaite ISD students
said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Goldthwaite students are beer (58 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (56 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of
GISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 33
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 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-nine percent of Goldthwaite ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 28* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge drinking"
of wine coolers was reported by 44 percent of GISD students (41 percent statewide). Twenty-
seven* percent of district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on
average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (19
percent).

Eight percent of Goldthwaite students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Twenty-six percent of GISD 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, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (15
percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 13
percent of district 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-one percent of Goldthwaite ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-two percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (40 percent statewide). Forty-two percent of district
students responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 16 percent of GISD students, compared to 10 percent of students
statewide.

Forty-five percent of Goldthwaite students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 12). Forty-three percent of district students responded "at parties"
when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide).

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Fourteen percent of GISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or
always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (21 percent).

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 GISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (27 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (50 percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty* percent of the district students who had experienced difficulties with school
officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days, compared to 65
percent of students statewide. By contrast, only 33* percent of district students who had not
experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol
within the past 30 days, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (26
percent).

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, 81 percent of Goldthwaite
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Four* percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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 decreased. Overall, Goldthwaite ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Thirteen percent of Goldthwaite students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Two percent of Goldthwaite
ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

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

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Goldthwaite students were liquid/spray paint
(5 percent/7 percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants" category (5 percent/8
4 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.

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percent statewide). Four percent of district students said they had inhaled correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent
statewide), and 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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 Goldthwaite ISD, 14* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 10* percent of GISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit
drugs reported using them an average of 1.4 times in the past 30 days and 4.2 times during their
lives. Goldthwaite students reported average usage rates of 0.8 times in the past month and 1.5
times during their lifetimes.

Ten* percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 3* percent of Goldthwaite ISD students, compared to 12 percent of
students statewide (Fig. 2).

Five percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent of Goldthwaite ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Twenty-four* percent of GISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(48 percent statewide), and 3* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(17 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Six percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Four* percent of Goldthwaite ISD students said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (17 percent).

None of the Goldthwaite ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used marijuana during the past month (6 percent statewide) compared to 5 percent of district
students who said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent statewide). One
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 16 percent of district

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students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Goldthwaite students reported a
disapproval rate of 93 percent (87 percent statewide). Two* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 1 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Goldthwaite ISD students (8
percent/7 percent statewide). Four percent of GISD students said they had used hallucinogens
(6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 4 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes
(Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Goldthwaite ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and
nearly two times more likely to have used inhalants than were district female students, and male
students were the only reported users of steroids. On the other hand, district female students
were the only reported users of ecstasy. There were no other significant differences by gender
among GISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Goldthwaite ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat
more likely to have used a tobacco product or powdered cocaine, twice as likely to have used
inhalants, and over three times more likely to have used marijuana than were those students
making A and B grades. On the other hand, those district students making A and B grades were
the only reported users of ecstasy. There were no other significant differences by grade average
among GISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or other illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. GISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product than were those district students living in
homes with two parents, and those students living in other family situations were the only
reported users of ecstasy. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Goldthwaite ISD students with regard to alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or other illegal
substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Goldthwaite students said they would seek help from their friends (77 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of GISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their

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parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (32 percent/35 percent statewide), or a counselor or program outside of
school (34* percent/45 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of
Goldthwaite students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug
use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-seven percent of Goldthwaite ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of
students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 59 percent of district students as a
source for this information (53 percent statewide), while 55 percent reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). Thirty-five
percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about
drugs and alcohol, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Goldthwaite students believe that powdered
cocaine use is "very dangerous" (90 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide). Eighty-six* percent of GISD students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (67
percent). Eighty percent of district students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77
percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 38 percent of GISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide), while 24* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 13).