TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

TULIA 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 Tulia Independent School District (TISD). A total of 519
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 18 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 501.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-four* percent of Tulia ISD 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

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

•Eighty* percent of Tulia ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 45 percent reported using alcohol during the past month (Fig.
2).

•Thirteen percent of TISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 29* 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."

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 24* percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-three percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 10 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Tulia ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (36 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 Tulia ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-four* percent of Tulia students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 59* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 67 percent of
TISD 9th through 12th graders (60 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their peers statewide.

Thirty-two* percent of Tulia ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current general tobacco use was reported by 23 percent
of TISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 38* percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-one* percent of Tulia students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 29* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11 percent of district students (7 percent
statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 6 percent of Tulia 7th and 8th grade
students (4 percent statewide) and 14 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (9
percent statewide). Twenty-five* percent of TISD students said most or all of their close
friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26* percent of TISD students (17
percent statewide), while 9* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 3 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 5 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 Tulia ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Tulia ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat higher than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Eighty* percent of Tulia students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 71 percent of TISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 85 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-five percent of Tulia ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 34 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 52 percent of TISD 9th through 12th grade
students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Tulia students are beer (72* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (64 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-eight* percent of
TISD 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. Fifty-three* percent of Tulia ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 36* 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 49* percent of TISD students (41 percent statewide), while 27*
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(19 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by students statewide.

Thirteen percent of Tulia 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 TISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 16 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty-nine* percent of TISD 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, compared to 15 percent of
students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 9* 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. Seventy-six percent of Tulia ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were

3
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-nine* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 48*
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 TISD students (10 percent statewide).

Fifty-two* percent of Tulia 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. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 29* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent
statewide) and 67* percent of TISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide), rates
higher than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 12). Fifty-four* percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 12* percent of TISD 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 TISD 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 (52 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-one* 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, 37* 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, 72 percent of Tulia students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Twelve percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 13 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, Tulia ISD students are using
inhalants at rates somewhat higher than 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
Twenty-four* percent of Tulia students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 33* percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 19 percent of TISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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

Two percent of TISD 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). Thirteen percent of TISD 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 Tulia students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (13 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide),
and 8 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Fewer Tulia ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used inhalants
during the past month (4 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who said they
had missed four or more days of school (8 percent/6 percent statewide). Three percent of
district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 19 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 (11 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 Tulia ISD, 27 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 17 percent of TISD 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

5
4.2 times during their lives. Tulia students reported average usage rates of 1.1 times in the past
month and 3.3 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-three percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 17 percent of Tulia 7th
and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 28 percent of district 9th through 12th grade
students (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a & 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of Tulia ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 7 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 12 percent of TISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Eight percent of TISD 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 6
percent of Tulia 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 10 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 10 percent of Tulia ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8
percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of TISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 12 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Five 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).

Thirteen* percent of Tulia 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 7 percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 16 percent of TISD 9th through 12th grade students
(22 percent statewide).

Fewer Tulia ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (8 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent/15 percent statewide). Five
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, 26 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, Tulia students reported a
disapproval rate of 87 percent (87 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

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Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Tulia ISD students (11
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through
12th grade students (14 percent/9 percent statewide). Six percent of district students reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent
statewide), and 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 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
Tulia ISD, male students were almost twice as likely to have used marijuana and over two times
more likely to have used cocaine than were district female students. There were no other
significant differences by gender among TISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol,
inhalant, or other illicit drug use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. TISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers or downers than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Tulia 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 Tulia students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-two percent of TISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (57 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (36
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of Tulia
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-eight* percent of Tulia 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 54* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Sixty-one* percent of
TISD 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 Tulia students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of TISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 74 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol

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and tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of TISD 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).