TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ALVARADO 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 Alvarado Independent School District (AISD). A total of
958 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 47 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 911.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-seven percent of Alvarado ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of AISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 5*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Seventy-three percent of Alvarado 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).

•Ten percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 20 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students said

1
The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I
(Standardized): District Survey Results." Sixth grade student participation in the secondary survey has been
eliminated throughout this report so that comparisons can be made with statewide data. 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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 they had driven a car at least once during the past year after having "a good bit
to drink."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 20 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty* percent of AISD 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).

•Alvarado ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (77 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(27 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 Alvarado ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-seven percent of Alvarado students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 53 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 60 percent of AISD 9th through 12th
graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-five percent of Alvarado 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 24
percent of AISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 26 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of Alvarado students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 20 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 6 percent of
Alvarado 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th through
12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of AISD students said most or all
of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide
(19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of AISD students (17
percent statewide), while 11* 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 5* percent of district

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students (2 percent statewide), and 9* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by their peers
statewide.

Alcohol

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

Seventy-three percent of Alvarado students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 66 percent
of AISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 77 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of Alvarado ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 31 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 42 percent of AISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Alvarado students are beer (60 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (62 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of
AISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 34
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-one percent of Alvarado ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 27* 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 44 percent of AISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 26* percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Alvarado students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was reported by
9 percent of AISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 10 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty percent of AISD 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 6 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. Seventy-eight percent of Alvarado ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 40
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 AISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-seven percent of Alvarado 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 18 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 51 percent
of AISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-three percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), while 19 percent of AISD 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 AISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (21 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-four* 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 18* 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, 73 percent of Alvarado students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 15* 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, Alvarado 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.

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Twenty percent of Alvarado students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 25 percent of district 7th
and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 17 percent of AISD 9th through 12th graders (17
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Alvarado 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 4 percent of AISD 9th through 12th grade students
(4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Two percent of AISD 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). Fourteen percent of AISD 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 Alvarado students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent
said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and
7b).

Fewer Alvarado ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (7 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (5 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, 8 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 Alvarado ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 16 percent of AISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide). Statewide, students who

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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. Alvarado students reported average usage rates of 1.6 times in
the past month and 3.8 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty* percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by
15 percent of Alvarado 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 24* percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a & 5b).

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

Nine percent of AISD 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 8
percent of Alvarado 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 9 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 8 percent of Alvarado ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

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

Eleven* percent of Alvarado 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 6 percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 14* percent of AISD 9th through 12th grade students
(22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

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

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Alvarado ISD students (10
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through
12th grade students (13 percent/9 percent statewide). Five percent of AISD students reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent
statewide), 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said

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they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 3 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 the
Alvarado ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among AISD
students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substance use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. AISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants, nearly two times more likely to have used
marijuana or uppers, and over three times more likely to have used downers than were those
district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences
by living arrangement among Alvarado ISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, or other
illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Alvarado students said they would seek help from their friends (77 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-four percent of AISD 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 (27* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
8 percent of Alvarado students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol
or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-one* percent of Alvarado 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 27* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 16* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty-seven* percent
of AISD 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 percent of Alvarado students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of AISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 69 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 42 percent of AISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 32* percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).

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