TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

NEW SUMMERFIELD 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 New Summerfield Independent School District (NSISD).
A total of 94 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 7 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 87.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-seven percent of New Summerfield ISD students reported using tobacco at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 27 percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Four percent of NSISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 7
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Eighty-one percent of New Summerfield ISD students said they had used alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of NSISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 10 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 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 2 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 corresponding figures. Figures referenced
throughout this report are included in "Part III: Executive Summary."

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•Thirteen* percent of NSISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 3* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•New Summerfield ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug
or alcohol problem (66 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or
program in school (24 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 New Summerfield ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported
by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of New Summerfield students reported general tobacco use at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (55 percent) (Fig.
1).3 Twenty-seven percent of New Summerfield ISD students said they had used a tobacco
product during the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-four percent of New Summerfield students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (52 percent).
Seventeen percent of NSISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month
(22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of district
students (7 percent statewide), while 9 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 35* percent of NSISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). Fourteen percent of district
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 7 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.

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

Eighty-one percent of New Summerfield students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-five
percent of New Summerfield ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by New Summerfield students are beer (61
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (59 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-six
percent of NSISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent
statewide), and 29 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. Thirty-nine percent of New Summerfield ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 27 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 34 percent of NSISD
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 New Summerfield students reported attending at least one class during the
past school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Ten percent of NSISD 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 2 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-seven percent of New Summerfield ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers,
or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide), and 24* percent
reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by students statewide. Thirty-seven percent of district students 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 NSISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-one percent of New Summerfield students said alcohol was used at most or all of the
parties they attended in the past school year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (Fig.
12). Thirty-three percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtained alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 6* percent of NSISD

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students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by students 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 NSISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (54 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-five* 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, compared
to 65 percent of students statewide. By contrast, only 22* 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, 66 percent of New Summerfield
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Fifteen percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 12 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, New Summerfield ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

None of the NSISD 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 NSISD 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 New Summerfield students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said
they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent
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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statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent
reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide), 5 percent said
they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling substances
in the "other inhalants" category (8 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 New Summerfield ISD, 18 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (28 percent). Fifteen
percent of NSISD 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. New
Summerfield students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 2.7 times
during their lifetimes.

Thirteen* percent of NSISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana
use was reported by 3* percent of New Summerfield ISD students, compared to 12 percent of
their peers statewide (Fig. 2).

One* percent of NSISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(9 percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year
was reported by 5 percent of New Summerfield ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent
statewide).

Thirty-four percent of NSISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and none of the students reported most or all of their close friends use
marijuana (17 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Three
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). Four* percent of the New Summerfield
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, New Summerfield students reported
a disapproval rate of 83 percent (87 percent statewide). Thirteen percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent

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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 New Summerfield ISD
students (11 percent/7 percent statewide). Three percent of NSISD students reported using
ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 2 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 2 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
New Summerfield ISD, male students were the only reported users of powdered cocaine, crack,
and hallucinogens in the district. On the other hand, district females students were somewhat
more likely to have used an inhalant and more than three times more likely to have used uppers
than were their male counterparts. There were no other significant differences by gender
among NSISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, marijuana, 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. NSISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product, an inhalant, or marijuana use than were
those district students living in homes with two parents. On the other hand, those New
Summerfield students living in two-parent homes were the only reported users of crack,
hallucinogens, downers, or steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences
by living arrangement among New Summerfield ISD students with regard to alcohol products
or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of New Summerfield students said they would seek help from their friends (66
percent), a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-three percent
of NSISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent
statewide), and 51 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 (24 percent/35
percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of New Summerfield
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 New Summerfield 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 66 percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 65* percent said "an invited
school guest" as a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher than those

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reported by students statewide. Forty-six percent of NSISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of New Summerfield students believe that crack use
is "very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of NSISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of district
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (67 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is
lower. Only 52 percent of NSISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46
percent statewide), while 43 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).