TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SPUR ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with
the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas AM University, administered a survey to students in
grades 7 through 12 in the Spur Independent School District (SISD). A total of 156 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs.
Of that number, 6 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 150.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Sixty-nine* percent of Spur 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).

• Five percent of Spur ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
10* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

• Seventy-four percent of Spur ISD 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).

• Twenty-two percent of Spur ISD 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"
(Fig. 11).

• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 20 percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

• Twenty-seven percent of Spur ISD 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).
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."

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• Spur ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (85* percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (24 percent)
(Fig. 17).2

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Spur ISD students, especially the smokeless variety, is higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-nine* percent of Spur students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-nine percent of Spur
ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (26 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Sixty-six* percent of Spur students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (53 percent). Twenty-four
percent of district students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25 percent
statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 5 percent of district students (8
percent statewide). Fourteen percent of Spur students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (21 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 34* percent of SISD students (16
percent state), and 13* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past
month (5 percent statewide), more than twice the rates reported by students statewide. Using a
smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 10* percent of the district students
(1 percent statewide), and 16* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless
tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by students statewide.

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.

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 the Spring of 1996.

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

2
Alcohol

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

Seventy-four percent of Spur students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-eight percent of Spur ISD students said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Spur students are beer (61 percent/56 percent
statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of SISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 26 percent
said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 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-three percent of Spur ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of
district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink,
a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent). Lifetime "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 41 percent of SISD students (40 percent statewide),
while 18 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (18 percent statewide).

Six percent of Spur students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-two percent of SISD 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 9th through 12th grade
students 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).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy percent of Spur ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat
easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of district students
reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide). Forty-seven
percent of district students responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol
most of the time or always, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide
(39 percent). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 8 percent of SISD students (9 percent statewide).

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Thirty-nine percent of Spur students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-four percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide). Six* percent of SISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17
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 SISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (31 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (38 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-four percent of the Spur students who had experienced difficulties with school
officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 30 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
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, 81 percent of Spur students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 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. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Spur ISD
students are using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Twenty percent of Spur students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20
percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Spur ISD students said they had used inhalants
during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of SISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 1 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Twelve percent of SISD students said they had
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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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 Spur students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper
(13 percent/9 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling gasoline (5
percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 6 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner
(5 percent statewide), and 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants"
category (8 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

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 Spur ISD, 30 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide). Nineteen percent of SISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (25 percent). Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported
using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives. Spur
students reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the past month and 3.4 times during their
lifetimes.

Twenty-seven percent of SISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Spur ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Nine percent of SISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 11 percent of Spur ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (12 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of SISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide). Nine* percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends
use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (21 percent). Two percent
of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (6 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of the Spur ISD students said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, nearly half the rate reported by their peers statewide (23 percent).

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None of the Spur ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (9 percent statewide), while 14 percent of those who said they
had missed four or more days of school reported past-month marijuana use (20 percent
statewide). Seven percent of Spur students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials
reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 24 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, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (38 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Spur students reported a disapproval
rate of 90 percent, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (85 percent).
Six 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).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Spur ISD students. Seven percent of SISD
students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used powdered
cocaine (7 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 2 percent
said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 2 percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Spur ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used steroids than
were district female students. On the other hand, SISD females students were somewhat more
likely to have used uppers than were their male counterparts. There were no other significant
differences by gender among SISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol,
inhalants, marijuana, 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. SISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used marijuana, powdered cocaine, or hallucinogens, over two
times more likely to have used uppers, and over three times more likely to have used steroids
than were those district students living in homes with two parents. In addition, Spur students
living in other family situations were the only reported users of ecstasy, while SISD students
living in two-parent homes were the only reported users of crack. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Spur ISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or downers.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Spur students said they would seek help from their friends (85* percent), a rate higher than
that reported by their peers statewide (74 percent). Sixty-three percent of SISD students said
they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 percent said

6
they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek
help from a counselor or program in school (24 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since
school began in the Fall, 2 percent of Spur students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Eighty-seven* percent of Spur ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (75 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 76* percent of district
students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 64*
percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Thirty-three* percent of SISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Spur students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of SISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 78* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Fifty-two percent of
SISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, compared to 44 percent of students
statewide. Only 27 percent of Spur ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 13).