TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ITALY 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 Italy Independent School District (IISD). A total of 231
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 9 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 222.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-three percent of Italy ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of IISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 6*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Seventy-three percent of Italy 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).

•Six percent of IISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 24 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 20 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen* percent of IISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Italy ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program at school
(28* 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 Italy ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-three percent of Italy students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of their peers statewide (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-one percent of Italy
ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (22 percent).

Fifty-nine* percent of Italy students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (52 percent).
Twenty-nine percent of IISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month
(24 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 33* percent of IISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). Eleven* percent of Italy
students 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 6* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 11* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

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

Seventy-three percent of Italy students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-five percent of Italy ISD students said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month, compared to 39 percent of their counterparts statewide
(Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Italy students are beer (62 percent/59 percent
statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty percent of IISD students
said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 27 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-two* percent of Italy ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 35* 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 students statewide. Past-year "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 47 percent of IISD students (41 percent statewide), while 30*
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(19 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Six percent of Italy students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-four* percent of IISD 9th through 12th
grade students said they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during
the past year, compared to 15 percent of 9th through 12th grade 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-eight percent of Italy ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 50
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 11 percent of IISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of Italy students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (39
percent) (Fig. 12). Forty-nine percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 19 percent

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of IISD 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 IISD 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 (55 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-three 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 35 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 Italy students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Ten percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 14 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, Italy ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

One percent of IISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of IISD 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 Italy students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper
(9 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling gasoline
(6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6
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.

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percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and
5 percent said they had inhaled glue (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 Italy ISD, 18* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 11* percent of IISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts 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. Italy students reported average usage rates of 0.7 times in the past month and 1.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Seventeen* percent of IISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 7 percent of Italy ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two* percent of IISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 9 percent of students statewide (Fig. 10). Driving under
the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 5 percent of Italy ISD
9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-three* percent of IISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide). Five* percent of Italy ISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (17 percent
statewide). Two 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). Five* percent of Italy
ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they
attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of students statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Italy students reported a disapproval
rate of 90 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 2
percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Italy ISD students. Four percent of
district students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used

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hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent
statewide), and 2 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide) at least once during their
lifetimes. None of the IISD students reported ever using steroids (2 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Italy ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product or inhalants
and over two times more likely to have used marijuana than were district female students. In
addition, district male students were the only reported users of crack. There were no significant
differences by gender among IISD students with regard to use of alcohol 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. IISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers and over two times more likely to have used
marijuana than were those district students living in homes with two parents. On the other
hand, those district students living in homes with two parents were the only reported users of
crack. There were no significant differences by living arrangement among Italy ISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Italy students said they would seek help from their friends (78 percent/74 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine percent of IISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (57 percent statewide), and 53 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 (28* percent), compared to 35 percent of their peers statewide (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 2* percent of Italy students reported seeking help for any problems connected
with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-eight percent of Italy 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 56 percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent of IISD students said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), and 32* percent
reported getting information about drugs and alcohol 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-two percent of Italy students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-three percent of IISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of district students believe
that marijuana use is "very dangerous," compared to 67 percent of students statewide. By

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contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 37 percent of IISD
students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 30* percent
believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their counterparts statewide (Fig. 13).