TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

OVERTON ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, 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 Overton Independent School District (OISD). A total of
189 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 8 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 181.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-three percent of Overton ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 28 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of Overton ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 4 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-one* percent of Overton 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).2

•Twelve percent of Overton ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 17 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 Overton ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 7 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-two percent of Overton ISD 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).

•Overton ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (69 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (35 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Overton ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-three percent of Overton students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-eight percent of Overton ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-one percent of Overton 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 11 percent
of district students (7 percent statewide). Twenty-six percent of OISD students said most or all
of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32* percent of OISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Twelve* percent of Overton
students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, compared to 6
percent of students statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported
by 4 percent of Overton students (2 percent statewide), and 10 percent said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent).

3
Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the
district report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in 1994.

4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be
made.

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Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Overton ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992.
Overall, Overton ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-one* percent of Overton students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-five percent of Overton
ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Overton students are beer (45* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (41* percent/61 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. Thirty-two percent of OISD students said they drink
beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide). Twenty-five percent of OISD
students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (34 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Twenty-nine percent of Overton ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year, a rate lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (39 percent). Twenty-five percent of Overton students 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 29 percent of OISD students, a rate lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (41 percent). Eighteen percent of OISD students said
they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent
statewide).

Twelve percent of Overton students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Seventeen percent of Overton ISD 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 2 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. Sixty-six percent of Overton ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide
(77 percent). Thirty-one percent of Overton students reported most or all of their close friends
drink alcohol, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (40
percent). Thirty-nine percent of OISD students 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 11 percent of Overton
students (10 percent statewide).

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Thirty-four percent of Overton ISD students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-four percent of
Overton students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time
or always, compared to a rate of 44 percent reported by students statewide. Ten* percent of
OISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, a rate lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (21 percent).

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 OISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (35 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (40 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-nine* 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, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 17* percent of
district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct
problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (26 percent).

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, 80 percent of Overton students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Overton ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-four percent of Overton students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Seven percent of Overton ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Three percent of OISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school

5
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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year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nineteen percent of Overton ISD students
said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Overton students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (18* percent), compared to 10 percent of students statewide. Twelve percent of OISD
students reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 10
percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 10 percent said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 9 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Fewer Overton ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (10 percent/6 percent statewide). Two 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, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (11
percent).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Overton ISD, 23 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 15 percent of OISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers 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.
Overton students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 3.1 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two percent of OISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of Overton ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Ten percent of OISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at

5
least once during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Overton ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty percent of OISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48 percent
statewide), while 10 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Four
percent of Overton students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends
because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Sixteen percent of the Overton 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Overton students reported a
disapproval rate of 88 percent (87 percent statewide). Six percent of Overton 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).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Overton ISD students. Six percent of
OISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 3 percent said
they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent
statewide), 1* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 1 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
Overton ISD, however, female students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana
and nearly twice as likely to have used an upper than were district male students, and females
were the only reported users of ecstasy in the district. There were no significant differences by
gender among OISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, 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. Overton students living in other family situations
were somewhat more likely to have consumed alcohol or used powdered cocaine, nearly twice
as likely to have used a tobacco product, over two times more likely to have used an inhalant,
and over three times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students
living in homes with two parents. There were no significant differences by living arrangement
among Overton ISD students with regard to the use of other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Overton students said they would seek help from their friends (69 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of OISD students said they would seek help from an

6
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). Overton students are least likely to seek help from a counselor
or program in school (35 percent/35 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (35 percent/33 percent statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3
percent of Overton students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-seven percent of Overton 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 49 percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of OISD students said "an
invited school guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent
statewide), and 31* percent reported getting this information from a "health class" (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-three percent of Overton 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-one percent of Overton ISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-four percent of district
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," compared to 67 percent of students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 48
percent of OISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide),
while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).