TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

REGION 7

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 Region 7. A total of 2770 students completed the
questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number,
213 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 region
analysis was 2557.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two* percent of Region 7 students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Ten* percent of region students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 7*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-three percent of Region 7 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).

•Eight percent of region students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 18* percent of region 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."

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Region
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 region students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4* percent (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen* percent of region 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).

•Region 7 students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult 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 Region 7 students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two* percent of Region 7 students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use
was lowest among region 7th graders (44 percent/40 percent statewide). Sixty-seven* percent
of Region 7 9th graders (57 percent statewide) and 72* percent of region 11th graders (61
percent statewide) reported lifetime use of a tobacco product, rates higher than those reported
by their 9th and 11th grade counterparts statewide.

Thirty-two* percent of Region 7 students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use
was lowest among region 7th grade students (19 percent/16 percent statewide). Thirty-six*
percent of Region 7 10th grade students (27 percent statewide), 37* percent of region 9th grade
students, and 39* percent of Region 7 11th grade students (27 percent statewide) reported past-
month general tobacco use, rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Fifty-seven* percent of Region 7 students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 26* 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 region students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Region
7 11th graders (16* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 11th graders
statewide (10 percent). Twenty percent of region students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32* percent of region students (17
percent statewide), while 15* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

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Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 7* percent of region
students (2 percent statewide), and 14* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in Region 7. Alcohol
use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago. Overall,
Region 7 students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their peers
statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Region 7 students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among region
7th graders (51* percent), a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th graders statewide (58
percent). Eighty-five percent of region 11th graders reported lifetime alcohol use (83 percent
statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of Region 7 students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among region 7th graders (21
percent/24 percent statewide). Forty-eight percent of region 11th graders reported consuming
an alcoholic beverage during the past month (45 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Region 7 students are beer (59 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (59 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of
region students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), while
29* 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 percent of Region 7 students reported "binge drinking"
beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 24* 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 39 percent of region 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).

Eight percent of Region 7 students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while intoxicated ranged
from 5 percent of region 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 11 percent of Region 7 10th
graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Eighteen* percent of region 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). The
highest rate of driving while intoxicated was reported by Region 7 12th graders (28 percent/26
percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of Region 7 10th grade students reported driving while

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intoxicated at least once during the past year, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 10th
grade students statewide (11 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the
past year was reported by 4 percent of region 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. Seventy-seven percent of Region 7 students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, the same rate reported by students statewide.
Thirty-seven percent of region students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol
(40 percent statewide), and 38 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 region students (10
percent statewide).

Thirty-three* percent of Region 7 students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide. Fifty-one*
percent of region 12th graders (62 percent statewide) and 43* percent of Region 7 10th graders
(52 percent statewide) reported alcohol consumption at most or all parties they attended during
the past school year, rates lower than those reported by their 12th and 9th grade counterparts
statewide (Figs. 12a and 12b). Thirty-seven* percent of region students responded "at parties"
when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide),
while 16* percent of region students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or
always (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students 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 region students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
region students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-four percent of region 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 25 percent of region 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, 78 percent of Region 7 students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight* percent of
region students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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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, Region 7 students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Region 7 students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 12
percent of region 12th grade students (15 percent statewide) to 22 percent of Region 7 9th grade
students (19 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of region 7th graders reported using an
inhalant at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th
graders statewide (20 percent). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 20* percent of Region 7
11th grade students, compared to 14 percent of 11th grade students statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four* percent of Region 7 students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current inhalant use ranged from 1 percent of region
11th graders (2 percent statewide) to 6 percent of Region 7 9th graders (5 percent statewide)
(Figs. 6a and 6b).

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

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Region 7 students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of region students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had
inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other inhalants" category (8 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.
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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In Region 7, 20* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 14* percent of region students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students 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.
Region 7 students reported average usage rates of 0.8 times in the past month and 2.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Seventeen* percent of region students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime marijuana use
ranged from 5* percent of Region 7 7th grade students (13 percent statewide) to 27* percent of
region 12th grade students (34 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by
their 7th and 12th grade counterparts statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of Region 7 students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana use ranged from 3* percent of Region 7 7th
graders (6 percent statewide) to 11 percent of region 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs.
6a and 6b).

Four* percent of region students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 1* percent of region 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 7* percent of Region 7 9th
graders (12 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 6* percent of Region 7 9th through 12th grade
students (8 percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs was reported by 8 percent
of region 12th graders (12 percent statewide).

Forty-two* percent of region students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 6* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Four* percent of
region students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Eight* percent of Region 7 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. Drug use at most or all parties was reported by 11* percent of region 10th graders
(23 percent statewide), 14* percent of Region 7 11th graders (25 percent statewide), and 7*
percent of region 12th graders (24 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fewer Region 7 students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana
during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did region students who said they
had missed four or more days of school (9 percent/15 percent statewide). Two percent of
region students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana

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within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 19* percent of region students who
had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using marijuana
during the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (31 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Region 7 students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Five* percent of region 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 Region 7 students (8 percent/7
percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among region 11th graders (13
percent/10 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Four percent of region students reported using
downers (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide),
2* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 2 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
Region 7, male students were nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were
region female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among region
students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, or other illicit
substances.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. Region students living in other family situations were
nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those region students living
in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Region 7 students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, or
other illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Region 7 students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-six percent of region students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). Region students are least likely to seek help from another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (33 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in
the Fall, 5* percent of Region 7 students reported seeking help for any problems connected with
alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-one percent of Region 7 students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An

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assembly program" was reported by 62* percent of region students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 58* percent said "an invited school guest"
was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
students statewide. Forty-three percent of Region 7 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-two percent of Region 7 students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 92* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of region students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 76* 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 region students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 35* percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).