TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PERRYTON 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Perryton Independent School District (PISD). A total of
295 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 20 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 275.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-four percent of Perryton ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Seventy-four percent of Perryton ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 47 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of PISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 32* percent of district 10th and 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 19 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 1* percent (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen* percent of PISD 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).

•Perryton ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (85* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (29 percent), or a counselor or program in school (31 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 Perryton ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Sixty-four percent of Perryton students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (57 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-eight* percent of Perryton ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-one percent of Perryton students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide), and 35* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 16*
percent of district students (8 percent statewide), while 30* percent said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of PISD students (19
percent statewide), while 11 percent 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 5* percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 10* percent said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat 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.

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

Seventy-four percent of Perryton students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (78 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-seven percent of Perryton ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month (42 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Perryton students are beer (68 percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (66 percent/64 percent statewide). Forty-nine* percent of
PISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (40 percent statewide), and 34
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 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-four* percent of Perryton ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 38* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 46 percent of PISD
students (43 percent statewide), while 30* percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Perryton students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirty-two* percent of PISD 10th and 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 higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (18
percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by
12* percent of district 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-six percent of Perryton ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (80 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 52*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 10 percent of PISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of Perryton students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (44 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-five percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (47 percent statewide), while 16* percent of PISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (23 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

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conduct or attitude problems. Fewer PISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (47* percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (50 percent/50 percent
statewide). Seventy-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 (66 percent
statewide). By contrast, 34* percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (29
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, 77 percent of Perryton students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Six percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (12 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 somewhat. Overall, Perryton ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Nineteen percent of Perryton students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). One* percent of Perryton ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (5 percent) (Fig. 2).

None of the PISD 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). Thirteen percent of PISD 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 Perryton students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (9 percent/6 percent statewide). Eight
percent of district students said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 6 percent
said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray
paint (7 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants"
category (8 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

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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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 Perryton ISD, 19* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 13* percent of PISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by their peers statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 1.6 times in the past 30 days and 4.7 times during their lives.
Perryton students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 2.7 times
during their lifetimes.

Seventeen* percent of PISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 28 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported
by 7* percent of Perryton ISD students, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide
(13 percent) (Fig. 2).

Six percent of PISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned"
on marijuana (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least
once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Perryton ISD 10th and 12th grade
students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight* percent of PISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 6* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Four 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). Six* percent
of the Perryton ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of
the parties they attended during the school year (19 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Perryton students reported a
disapproval rate of 93* percent (88 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide),
while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Perryton ISD students (8
percent/8 percent statewide). Five percent of PISD students said they had used hallucinogens (7
percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said they

5
had used powdered cocaine (6 percent statewide), and 2 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
Perryton ISD, there were no significant differences by gender among PISD students with regard
to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, powdered cocaine, crack, hallucinogens, uppers,
downers, steroids, or ecstasy use.

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

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Perryton students said they would seek help from their friends (85* percent/76
percent statewide). Sixty percent of PISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 57 percent said they would turn to their parents (53
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (29 percent/32 percent statewide), or a counselor or program in
school (31 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3* percent of
Perryton students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Eighty-seven* percent of Perryton 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 80* percent of district students as a source for this
information (54 percent statewide), while 62* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty-five* percent of
PISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45
percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety percent of Perryton students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of PISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 74 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (66 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 42 percent of PISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use

6
alcohol (45 percent statewide), while 25* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(38 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).