TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ORE CITY 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 Ore City Independent School District (OCISD). A total
of 318 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 26 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 292.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty percent of Ore City ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 29 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month
(Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of OCISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 3 percent
reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-six percent of Ore City ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 42 percent reported using alcohol during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of OCISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 24* 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."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."

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 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen* percent of OCISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month
(Fig. 2).

•Ore City ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(26* 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 Ore City ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty percent of Ore City students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 47 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Sixty-eight percent of OCISD 9th through
12th graders said they had used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (60 percent).

Twenty-nine percent of Ore City ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 21
percent of OCISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 33 percent of district
9th through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-four percent of Ore City students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 23 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 10 percent
of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 6 percent of
Ore City 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 13 percent of district 9th through
12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of OCISD students said most or all
of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of OCISD students
(17 percent statewide), while 12* 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 3 percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

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Alcohol

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

Seventy-six percent of Ore City students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 57 percent of
OCISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 87 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-two percent of Ore City ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 26 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 51 percent of OCISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Ore City students are beer (63 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (66 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-three percent of
OCISD 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 54*
percent of OCISD students (41 percent statewide), while 28* percent said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates
higher than those reported by students statewide. Fifty* percent of Ore City ISD students
reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past-year (39 percent statewide), while
34* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20
percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by students statewide.

Eight percent of Ore City students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 7
percent of OCISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 9 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty-four* percent of OCISD 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 somewhat higher than
that reported by their 9th through 12th grade peers statewide (15 percent). Driving while
intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 8 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. Eighty-one percent of Ore City ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 44
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 10 percent of OCISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of Ore City 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 15 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 52 percent of
OCISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-six percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 15 percent of OCISD 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 OCISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (37 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy* 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 (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 27 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, 76 percent of Ore City 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 12 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, Ore City 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.

4
Eighteen percent of Ore City students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 19 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 17 percent of OCISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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

Two percent of OCISD 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 OCISD 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 Ore City students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (8 percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (8 percent/6 percent statewide). Seven
percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 7 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 Ore City ISD, 23 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 15 percent of OCISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent 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. Ore City students reported average usage rates of 1.3 times in the
past month and 3.6 times during their lifetimes.

Eighteen* percent of OCISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Ore City 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent
statewide) and 23 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide)
(Figs. 5a & 5b).

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Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7 percent of Ore City ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 5 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 9 percent of OCISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Six percent of OCISD 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 3
percent of Ore City 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 8 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 7 percent of Ore City ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-four percent of OCISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide). Seven* percent of Ore City students reported most or all of their close
friends use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Three
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).

Five* percent of the Ore City ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of
students statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 2*
percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 7* percent of OCISD 9th
through 12th grade students (22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students
statewide.

Fewer Ore City ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (less than 1 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district
students who said they had missed four or more days of school (9 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, 18 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, Ore City students reported a
disapproval rate of 92 percent (87 percent statewide). Four 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).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Ore City ISD students (12
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through
12th grade students (16 percent/9 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Eight percent of district
students reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

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CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Ore City ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana or powdered
cocaine and over two times more likely to have used inhalants than were district female
students, and male students were the only reported users of crack or steroids. There were no
other significant differences by gender among OCISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco, 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 Ore City ISD, students reporting lower grades were over 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 OCISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, 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. In the Ore City ISD, there were no significant
differences by living arrangement with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants,
marijuana, or other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Ore City students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-two percent of OCISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 52 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 (26* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
4 percent of Ore City students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol
or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-seven* percent of Ore City 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. Forty percent of OCISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by
28* percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent
statewide), while 29* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information
(46 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Ore City students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 94 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-seven* percent of OCISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 82* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 50 percent of OCISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to

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use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 37 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).