TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

COVINGTON 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 Covington Independent School District (CISD). A total
of 114 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 5 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 109.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-five percent of Covington 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).

•Nine percent of CISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 12*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Seventy-three percent of Covington 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).

•Eleven percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 23 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 14 percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 1 percent (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen percent of CISD 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).

•Covington ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
in school (29 percent), or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (30
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 Covington ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-five percent of Covington students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 3 Thirty-two percent of
Covington ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-one percent of Covington students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 23 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), while 22 percent said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 37* percent of CISD students (17
percent statewide), while 17* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 12* percent of district
students (2 percent statewide), and 13* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent), rates also higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Alcohol

3
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Covington ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Covington ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their
peers statewide.

Seventy-three percent of Covington students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-eight percent of Covington ISD students
said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Covington students are beer (63 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of
CISD 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. Forty-eight percent of Covington ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 26 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 43 percent of CISD students (41 percent statewide),
while 23 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eleven percent of Covington students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-three percent of CISD 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 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. Sixty-six percent of Covington ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-six percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 30
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 13 percent of CISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-two percent of Covington students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Twenty-eight* 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 CISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).

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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 CISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (17 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (49 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 (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, 15* 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, 74 percent of Covington
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 7 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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

Fourteen percent of Covington students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). One percent of Covington ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of CISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and none of the students said they had attended class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eight percent of CISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Covington students were gasoline (8 percent/6
percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent/8 percent
statewide). Five percent of district students said they had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper
(10 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide),
4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide), and

4
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
3 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 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 Covington ISD, 17* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (28 percent). Seventeen
percent of CISD 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 4.2 times during their lives. Covington
students reported average usage rates of 1.4 times in the past month and 4.8 times during their
lifetimes.

Seventeen percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of their counterparts statewide) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was
reported by 10 percent of Covington ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Eight percent
of CISD 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 least once
during the past year was reported by 16 percent of Covington ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a rate
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (48 percent). Eleven percent of Covington
students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent statewide). Seven
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 the Covington 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, Covington students reported a
disapproval rate of 84 percent (87 percent statewide). Eleven percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Covington ISD students (10
percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of CISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 5 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had

5
used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said 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
Covington ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to report inhalants use and nearly
twice as likely to report uppers use than were district female students, and males were the only
district students to report hallucinogens, steroids, or ecstasy use. There were no other
significant differences by gender among CISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol,
marijuana, powdered cocaine, crack, or downers use.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Covington ISD, students reporting lower grades were more than
twice as likely to report inhalants use, nearly three times as likely to report downers use, and
more than three times as likely to report crack use than were those students making A and B
grades, and those reporting lower grades were the only district students to report steroids or
ecstasy use. There were no other significant differences by grade average among CISD students
with regard to tobacco, alcohol, or hallucinogens use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. CISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to report tobacco use, more than twice as likely to report inhalants and
marijuana use, nearly three times as likely to report uppers use, and more than three times as
likely to report downers use than were those district students living in homes with two parents.
There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Covington ISD
students with regard to alcohol, powdered cocaine, crack, hallucinogens, or ecstasy use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Covington students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-six percent of CISD students said they would seek help from their
parents (54 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to an adult friend or relative
(57 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (29 percent/35 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (30 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 1
percent of Covington students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol
or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Fifty-one* percent of Covington ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "A health
class" was reported by 37 percent of district students as a source for this information (46 percent
statewide), while 19* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about

6
drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of CISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from "an assembly program" (53 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Covington students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 90 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-two percent of CISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 68 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 41 percent of CISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 22* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).