TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

GREENWOOD 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 Greenwood Independent School District (GISD). A total
of 546 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 24 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 522.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two* percent of Greenwood ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 30* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Seven 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-six* percent of Greenwood ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Six percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 15 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students said

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."

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.

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 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 16 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen* percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 5* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Greenwood ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (82* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
in school (33 percent) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (33
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 Greenwood ISD students is higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two* percent of Greenwood students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (55 percent) (Fig. 1).
Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 52 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent
statewide), and 70* percent of GISD 9th through 12th graders (60 percent statewide), rates
somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Thirty* percent of Greenwood ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).
Current general tobacco use was reported by 22 percent of GISD 7th and 8th grade students (20
percent statewide) and 36* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (27 percent
statewide).

Fifty-five percent of Greenwood students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 25 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 7 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 4 percent of
Greenwood 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 9 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Twenty percent of GISD students said most
or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (18 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 34* percent of GISD students (16
percent statewide), while 12* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during

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the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5* percent of district
students (2 percent statewide), and 11* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (15 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Sixty-six* percent of Greenwood students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (74 percent) (Fig. 1).
Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 55 percent of GISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent
statewide) and 74 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five percent of Greenwood ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 24 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 43 percent of GISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Greenwood students are beer (55 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (56 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-one percent of
GISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
27* 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-one percent of Greenwood ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 25 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 42 percent of GISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Six percent of Greenwood students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was reported by
8 percent of GISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 5* percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Fifteen 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 (15 percent statewide). Driving
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 3 percent of district
9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

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Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-three percent of Greenwood ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 36 percent 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 9 percent of GISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-one* percent of Greenwood students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties
was reported by 14 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 43 percent
of GISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-nine percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), while 10* percent of GISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).

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 (23 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (42 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-eight* percent of district students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, 26 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (26
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, 81* percent of Greenwood
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Five* percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

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, Greenwood ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.
3 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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Sixteen percent of Greenwood students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 17 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 15 percent of GISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three percent of Greenwood ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 4 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 3 percent of GISD 9th through 12th grade students
(4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

One percent of GISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of GISD 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 Greenwood students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported
inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7
percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide) at
least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

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 Greenwood ISD, 17* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 12* 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. Greenwood students reported average usage rates of 0.3 times in the past month and 2.3
times during their lifetimes.

Fourteen* percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by
9* percent of Greenwood 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 17* percent of

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district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported
by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a & 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5* percent of Greenwood ISD students, a rate lower
than that reported by students statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was
reported by 4* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 6* percent of
GISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Four* percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Class attendance while "stoned" was reported by 4
percent of Greenwood 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 3* percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 4* percent of Greenwood ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Twenty-five* percent of GISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(38 percent statewide), and 3* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(17 percent statewide). Four 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 Greenwood ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide). Marijuana
and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 3* percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 5* percent of GISD 9th through 12th grade students
(22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

Fewer Greenwood ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (2 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (6 percent/15 percent statewide). Three
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, 15 percent of district
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, Greenwood students reported a
disapproval rate of 96* percent (87 percent statewide). Three* 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. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Greenwood ISD students (8
percent/9 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through
12th grade students (11 percent/9 percent statewide). Four percent of GISD students said they
had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent

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statewide), 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 2 percent
reported using crack (2 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
Greenwood ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to report inhalants or marijuana use
than were district female students, and males were the only students to report steroids use.
There were no other significant differences by gender among GISD students with regard to
tobacco, alcohol, or other illicit substance use.

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
nearly twice as likely to report marijuana use than were those district students living in homes
with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among
Greenwood ISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Greenwood students said they would seek help from their friends (82* percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-six* percent of GISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 60 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (33 percent/35 percent statewide), or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (33 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4
percent of Greenwood students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol
or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-five* percent of Greenwood ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 69* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 56* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of
GISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol 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. Ninety-six* percent of Greenwood students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 95* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-two percent of GISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 80* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 51 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) (Fig. 13).