TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PLAINS 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 Plains Independent School District (PISD). A total of
212 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 2 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 210.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-seven percent of Plains ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month
(Fig. 2).

•Five percent of PISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4 percent
reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-seven percent of Plains ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36 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 19 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 14 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (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."

1
•Twelve* percent of PISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 5* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

•Plains ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(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 Plains ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-seven percent of Plains students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Twenty-two percent of Plains ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Forty-eight percent of Plains students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 16 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 5 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide), while 12 percent said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 24 percent of PISD students (17
percent statewide), while 6 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 4 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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
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 Plains ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Plains ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers
statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Plains students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-six percent of Plains ISD students said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Plains students are beer (52 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (51 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent of
PISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
23* 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-two percent of Plains ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past-year (39 percent statewide), while 20 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 42 percent of PISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 18 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Plains students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Nineteen percent of PISD 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 4 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-five percent of Plains ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Twenty-seven* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 38 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 10 percent of PISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-one percent of Plains students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 8* percent of PISD 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

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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 (11* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (45 percent/47 percent
statewide). Eighty-eight* 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 28 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, 80 percent of Plains 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 9 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, Plains ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

One percent of PISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nine percent of PISD 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 Plains students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had
inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 4 percent of district students said they had inhaled
glue (6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 4
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 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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Fewer Plains ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (14 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (4 percent/6 percent statewide). Four 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, 20 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 Plains ISD, 13* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 7* percent of PISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students 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. Plains
students reported average usage rates of 0 times in the past month and 1.0 times during their
lifetimes.

Twelve* percent of PISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of their peers statewide (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was
reported by 5* percent of Plains ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two* percent of PISD 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 4 percent of Plains ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (8 percent statewide).

Eighteen* percent of PISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 4* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (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).

Six* percent of the Plains 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).

Fewer Plains ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who

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said they had missed four or more days of school (5 percent/15 percent statewide). Two percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 32 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 (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Plains students reported a
disapproval rate of 88 percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 1 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Plains ISD students (3
percent/7 percent statewide). One* percent of district students said they had used hallucinogens
(6 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 1* percent said
they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 1 percent reported using crack (2 percent
statewide), and 1 percent said they had used steroids (2 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
Plains ISD, male students were the only reported users of downers or steroids. On the other
hand, PISD female students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants than were
district male students, and district females were the only students to report cocaine or
hallucinogens use. There were no other significant differences by gender among PISD 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 Plains students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty percent of PISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 58 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 (30 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of
Plains students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-three percent of Plains 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 64 percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 27* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for drug and alcohol information (46 percent statewide). Forty-three percent of PISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent
statewide).

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Plains students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of PISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 84* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 52 percent of PISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 37 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).