TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HUBBARD 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 9 through 12 in the Hubbard Independent School District (HISD). A total of
128 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 4 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 124.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy-three percent of Hubbard ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of HISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 12*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Ninety-three* percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 66* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Fifteen percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 24 percent of district students said they had driven a car
at least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink."

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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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 15 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 7 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-three percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 19 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Hubbard ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (27 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 Hubbard ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Hubbard students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (60 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). 3 Thirty-six percent of Hubbard ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month (27 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-six percent of Hubbard students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (57 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of HISD students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
was reported by 10 percent of district students (9 percent statewide), while 14 percent said most
or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 42* percent of HISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (19 percent). Twenty*
percent of Hubbard students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past
month (7 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported
by 12* percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 29* percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco, rates higher than those reported by their peers
statewide (6 percent).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Hubbard ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.

3
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

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Overall, Hubbard ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Ninety-three* percent of Hubbard students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Sixty-six* percent of Hubbard ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (46 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Hubbard students are beer (86* percent/67
percent statewide) and wine coolers (87* percent/68 percent statewide). Sixty-four* percent of
HISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, compared to 43 percent of
students statewide. Forty-seven percent of district students said they drink wine coolers weekly
or monthly (38 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Sixty-four* percent of Hubbard ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past-year (45 percent statewide), while 39* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (24 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge drinking"
of wine coolers was reported by 61 percent of HISD students (47 percent statewide), while 28
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(22 percent statewide).

Fifteen percent of Hubbard students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-four percent of HISD 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 11* percent of district students, a rate higher than reported by their peers statewide
(4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Ninety-one percent of Hubbard ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (84 percent statewide). Sixty-eight* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (48 percent statewide),
and 67* percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (49 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 18 percent of HISD students (11 percent statewide).

Sixty percent of Hubbard students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Sixty-seven* percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time
or always (53 percent statewide), while 19 percent of HISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (27 percent statewide).

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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 HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (61* percent/31 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (75* percent/53 percent
statewide). Seventy-six* 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 (69 percent
statewide). By contrast, 50* percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (33
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, 67 percent of Hubbard students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (74 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8
percent statewide), and 15 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (13 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, Hubbard ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fifteen percent of Hubbard students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(17 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Seven percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of HISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (2 percent
statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nine percent of HISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (10 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Hubbard students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/8 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent
statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (6 percent

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.

4
statewide), and 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

None of the Hubbard ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (2 percent statewide). Seven percent of the district students
who said they had missed four or more days of school reported having used inhalants during the
past month (4 percent statewide). None of the district students who had not gotten into trouble
with school officials reported using inhalants within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By
contrast, 12 percent of district students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four
or more days reported using inhalants during the past 30 days (8 percent statewide).

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 Hubbard ISD, 34 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (33 percent statewide), while 25 percent of HISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (23 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said
they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.8 times in the past 30 days and
5.4 times during their lives. Hubbard students reported average usage rates of 2.1 times in the
past month and 5.4 times during their lifetimes.

Thirty-three percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(31 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 19 percent of
Hubbard ISD students (14 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Eleven percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 13 percent Hubbard ISD students (8 percent
statewide).

Sixty-three percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (58
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (19
percent statewide). Ten 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).

Nineteen percent of Hubbard ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (22 percent statewide).

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When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Hubbard students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (88 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (6 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Hubbard ISD students (10
percent/9 percent statewide). Six percent of district students reported using downers (6 percent
statewide), 4 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said
they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 2 percent reported using ecstasy (3 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
Hubbard ISD, male students were two times more likely to have used inhalants than female
students. District female students were over two times more likely to have used uppers than
were district male students. There were no other significant differences by gender among HISD
students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, or other illicit drug use.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Hubbard ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat more
likely to have used marijuana and two times more likely to have used inhalants than were those
students making A and B grades. There were no other significant differences by grade average
among HISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drug use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. HISD students living in other family situations were
two times more likely to have used inhalants than were those district students living in homes
with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among
Hubbard ISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Hubbard students said they would seek help from their friends (80 percent/77
percent statewide). Fifty-two percent of HISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 42 percent said they would turn to their parents (51
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (27
percent/36 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Hubbard
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Ninety-four* percent of Hubbard ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (78 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 86* percent of district students as a source for this

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information (52 percent statewide), while 84* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide). Forty-two percent of
HISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45
percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Hubbard students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (92 percent statewide), and 94 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of HISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (78 percent statewide), and 68 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (62 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 35 percent of HISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 21* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).