TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ROCKWALL ISD

ELEMENTARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, 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 4 through 6 in the Rockwall Independent School District (RISD). A total of 1069
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 18 surveys were excluded from analysis because the 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 1051.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Thirteen* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students reported using tobacco at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past school year (Fig. 2).2

•Sixteen* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students said they had consumed alcohol
at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 10* percent reported drinking
alcohol in the past school year (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students said they had been offered
cigarettes, 23* percent reported being offered alcohol, 8 percent said they had
been offered inhalants, and 6* percent reported being offered marijuana.

•Seven* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students reported using inhalants and 2*
percent reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

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.

1
•Thirteen* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students said they "don't know" how
their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, and 10* percent said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (Fig.
10).

•Ninety-four percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students said they had gotten
information about drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in
the Fall, and 63* percent said their teacher was a source for this information.

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (cigarettes and snuff or chewing tobacco)
among elementary students statewide has declined slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Rockwall ISD elementary students, especially those in the 5th grade and with
regard to cigarettes in particular, was somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

In the Rockwall ISD, 13* percent of elementary students reported general tobacco use at least
once during their lifetimes (18 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use of tobacco products was
reported by 7 percent of RISD 4th graders (9 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of district 5th
graders reported lifetime use of a tobacco product, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
their peers statewide (16 percent). Twenty-one percent of Rockwall 6th grade students said they
had used cigarettes, snuff, or chewing tobacco at least once during their lifetimes (26 percent
statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Use of a tobacco product during the past school year was reported by 7* percent of Rockwall
ISD elementary students (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-year use of cigarettes, snuff, or
chewing tobacco was reported by 4 percent of district 4th graders (6 percent statewide). Five*
percent of Rockwall 5th graders reported past-month use of a tobacco product, half the rate
reported by 5th graders statewide (10 percent). Thirteen percent of RISD 6th grade students
said they had used a tobacco product during the past school year (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a
and 6b).

Eleven* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes (15 percent statewide), and 6* percent said they had smoked cigarettes
during the past school year (10 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by
their peers statewide. Twenty-four* percent of district elementary students said some or most of
their close friends smoke cigarettes (29 percent statewide), while 24 percent reported they had
been offered cigarettes (26 percent statewide).

3
Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in the Spring of 1996.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 4 percent of Rockwall ISD
elementary students (4 percent statewide), while 2 percent said they had used snuff or chewing
tobacco during the past school year (2 percent statewide). Seven percent of RISD elementary
students reported some or most of their close friends use snuff or chewing tobacco (9 percent
statewide), and 11 percent said they had been offered a smokeless tobacco product (10 percent
statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among elementary students statewide and in the
Rockwall ISD. Over the last two years, alcohol use among elementary students statewide has
decreased somewhat. Overall, Rockwall ISD elementary students are drinking alcohol at rates
lower than their 4th through 6th grade counterparts statewide.

Sixteen* percent of RISD elementary students reported using alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, nearly half the rate reported by elementary students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1).
Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 11* percent of Rockwall 4th grade students (22 percent
statewide), 13* percent of district 5th grade students (29 percent statewide), and 26* percent of
RISD 6th grade students (40 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Alcohol use during the past school year was reported by 10* percent of Rockwall ISD
elementary students, less than half the rate reported by elementary students statewide (21
percent) (Fig. 2). Past-year alcohol use was reported by 4* percent of RISD 4th graders (15
percent statewide), 9* percent of district 5th graders (19 percent statewide), and 18* percent of
RISD 6th graders (28 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

Twenty* percent of Rockwall elementary students said some or most of their close friends drink
beer, wine coolers, wine, or liquor (35 percent statewide), and 23* percent reported they had
been offered alcohol (33 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. RISD elementary students who said they drink alcohol were asked where they get
alcoholic beverages from. Seven* percent of district elementary students said they get alcohol
from home (13 percent statewide), 4* percent reported obtaining alcohol from friends (8 percent
statewide), and 6* percent said they get alcohol from "somewhere else" (12 percent statewide),
rates lower than those reported by elementary students statewide.

RISD elementary students were asked how many times during the past year they "had two or
more drinks in a row." Seven* percent of RISD elementary students said they "had two or more
drinks" of beer in a row at least once during the past year (16 percent statewide), while 6*
percent said they "had two or more drinks" of wine cooler in a row at least once during the past
year (16 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Seven*
percent of Rockwall elementary students said they "had two or more drinks" of wine in a row (11
percent statewide), and 4* percent said they "had two or more drinks" of liquor in a row at least
once in the past year (7 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by
elementary students statewide.

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Students were asked whether they had missed school "when their parents didn't know," and
whether they had gotten into trouble with the principal. Ten* percent of the Rockwall
elementary students who had not missed school or experienced conduct problems reported
consuming alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (21 percent statewide). By contrast, 38
percent of those district elementary students who had been sent to the principal said they had
consumed alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (48 percent statewide), and 46* percent
who had missed school "when their parents didn't know" reported lifetime alcohol use (70
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, 85* percent of RISD elementary
students said their parents "don't like it," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by elementary
students statewide (80 percent). Thirteen* percent of district elementary students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (16 percent statewide),
and 1* percent said their parents "don't care" (2 percent statewide) (Fig. 10).

Inhalants4

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints and thinners, correction fluid, glue, and
gasoline) which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled produce an intoxicating effect. Over the last
two years, use of inhalants among elementary students statewide has stayed about the same.
Overall, use of inhalants among Rockwall ISD elementary students was somewhat similar to that
reported by their 4th through 6th grade peers statewide.

Seven* percent of RISD elementary students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 7 percent of
Rockwall 4th graders (9 percent statewide) and 5 percent of district 5th graders (8 percent
statewide). Ten percent of RISD 6th grade students said they had used inhalants at least once
during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Rockwall elementary students said they had used inhalants during the past school
year (7 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-year inhalant use was reported by 4 percent of RISD
4th grade students (6 percent statewide) and 4 percent of district 5th grade students (6 percent
statewide). Eight percent of RISD 6th graders said they had used inhalants during the past
school year (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Ten percent of Rockwall students said some or most of their close friends use inhalants (13
percent statewide), and 8 percent said they had been offered inhalants (9 percent statewide).

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
Two percent of Rockwall elementary students reported using two or more inhalant substances at
least once during their lifetimes (3 percent statewide).

Three percent of district elementary students said they had inhaled glue (3 percent statewide), 2
percent reported inhaling whiteout/Liquid Paper (4 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had
inhaled gasoline (2 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (2 percent
statewide), 1* percent reported inhaling spray paint (3 percent statewide), and 3* percent said
they had used substances in the "other inhalants" category (5 percent statewide) at least once
during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Among Rockwall ISD elementary students, inhalant use is more closely tied to absences than to
conduct problems. Three percent of RISD elementary students who had neither missed school
nor experienced conduct problems reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (4
percent statewide). By contrast, 9* percent of district elementary students who had missed
school "when their parents didn't know" reported lifetime inhalant use, a rate lower than that
reported by their peers statewide (23 percent), while 10 percent of Rockwall elementary students
who had been sent to the principal said they had used inhalants (11 percent statewide).

Marijuana

Over the last two years, the use of marijuana among elementary students statewide has declined
somewhat. Overall, marijuana use among Rockwall ISD elementary students was slightly lower
than that reported by their 4th through 6th grade peers statewide.

Two* percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). None of the RISD 4th graders reported ever
smoking marijuana (2 percent statewide). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 1 percent of
district 5th graders (3 percent statewide). Three* percent of RISD 6th grade students said they
had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes, less than half the rate reported by 6th
grade students statewide (7 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

One* percent of RISD elementary students reported using marijuana during the past school year
(3 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-year marijuana use was reported by 1 percent of Rockwall
5th grade students (2 percent statewide) and 3 percent of RISD 6th grade students (5 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of RISD elementary students said some or most of their close friends use marijuana
(12 percent statewide), and 6* percent reported they had been offered marijuana (10 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

Among Rockwall ISD elementary students, marijuana use is more closely tied to absences than
to conduct problems. One percent of RISD elementary students who had neither missed school
nor experienced conduct problems reported using marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (2
percent statewide). By contrast, 9 percent of district elementary students who had missed school

5
"when their parents didn't know" reported lifetime marijuana use (26 percent statewide), while 5
percent of Rockwall elementary students who had been sent to the principal said they had used
marijuana (9 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, 89* percent of RISD elementary
students said their parents "don't like it" when kids their age smoke marijuana (85 percent
statewide), while 10* percent said that they "don't know" how their parents feel (13 percent
statewide), and 1 percent reported their parents "don't care" if kids their age smoke marijuana (2
percent statewide) (Fig. 10).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

In the statewide survey, female elementary students were less likely to have used drugs than were
male elementary students. In the Rockwall ISD, male elementary students were somewhat more
likely to have used a tobacco product or an inhalant and nearly twice as likely to have consumed
alcohol than were district female elementary students. There was no significant difference by
gender among RISD elementary students with regard to the use of marijuana.

Ninety-four percent of Rockwall ISD elementary students said they had gotten information about
drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (92 percent statewide).
Seventy-seven* percent of district elementary students said a visitor to class was a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (63 percent statewide), while 73* percent reported getting
this information from a school assembly program (63 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by elementary students statewide. Sixty-three* percent of RISD elementary students
said their teacher was a source for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate lower than that
reported by their peers statewide (75 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. When questioned about the danger associated with marijuana use, 84*
percent of Rockwall elementary students believe that using marijuana is "very dangerous" (80
percent statewide). Sixty-nine percent of RISD elementary students believe alcohol use is "very
dangerous" (68 percent statewide), 67 percent believe inhalant use is "very dangerous" (67
percent statewide), and 66 percent believe tobacco use is "very dangerous" (65 percent
statewide) (Fig. 8).