TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HONEY GROVE ISD

SECONDARY 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 7 through 12 in the Honey Grove Independent School District (HGISD). A total of
269 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 5 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 264.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-four percent of Honey Grove 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).

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

•Sixty-four* percent of Honey Grove ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25* percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen percent of Honey Grove ISD 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"
(Fig. 11).

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 13* percent of Honey Grove ISD students
(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Ten* percent of Honey Grove ISD 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).

•Honey Grove ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (75 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
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 increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Honey Grove ISD 7th and 8th grade students was lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide, while such use among HGISD 9th through 12th grade students was
somewhat similar to that reported by their peers statewide.

Fifty-four percent of Honey Grove students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 33* percent
of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide
(47 percent). Sixty-eight percent of HGISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime use of a
tobacco product (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-two percent of Honey Grove ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by
6* percent of HGISD 7th and 8th grade students, less than a third of the rate reported by 7th and
8th grade students statewide (20 percent). Thirty-three percent of district 9th through 12th grade
students reported past-month use of a tobacco product (30 percent statewide).

Forty-nine percent of Honey Grove students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), 17* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (25 percent statewide), and 9 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide). Eleven* percent of HGISD students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes, nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (21 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 27* percent of HGISD students (16
percent statewide), while 11* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 6* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on
a daily basis (1 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students 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
Eleven* percent of district students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco,
more than double the rate reported by students statewide (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Honey Grove
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported
two years ago. Overall, Honey Grove ISD students are drinking alcohol, especially those in the
lower grades, at rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-four* percent of Honey Grove students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 48* percent of HGISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th
and 8th graders statewide (63 percent). Seventy-five percent of district 9th through 12th graders
reported lifetime use of alcohol (80 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Twenty-five* percent of Honey Grove ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2).
Past-month alcohol use was reported by 11* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (28
percent statewide) and 33 percent of HGISD 9th through 12th grade students (43 percent
statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Honey Grove students are beer (48 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (46* percent/58 percent statewide). Twenty-two* percent
of HGISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and
14* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide), rates lower
than those reported by their peers statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Twenty-nine percent of Honey Grove ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 17 percent
said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 31 percent of HGISD
students (40 percent statewide), while 13 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Four* percent of Honey Grove students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk," less than half the rate reported by students statewide (9 percent).
Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 1* percent of HGISD 7th and 8th graders (8
percent statewide) and 6 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig.
9).

Fourteen percent of HGISD 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

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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.
Seventy-one percent of Honey Grove ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 30*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 6 percent of
HGISD students (9 percent statewide).

Twenty-seven* percent of Honey Grove students said alcohol was used at most or all of the
parties they attended in the past school year, in contrast to the 37 percent reported by their peers
statewide. Alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by 7* percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (17 percent statewide) and 40 percent of HGISD 9th through 12th graders (49 percent
statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-two* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (43 percent). Fourteen percent of HGISD students said they get alcohol "from the
store" most of the time or always (17 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 HGISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (16 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (34 percent/44 percent
statewide). Fifty-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 (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 20 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
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, 79 percent of Honey Grove
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Nine percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(9 percent statewide), and 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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
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 has stayed about the same. Overall, Honey Grove
ISD students are using inhalants, especially those in the 7th and 8th grades, at rates somewhat
lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Thirteen* percent of Honey Grove students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 20 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was
reported by 15 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (23 percent statewide) and 12 percent of
HGISD 9th through 12th graders (18 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three percent of Honey Grove ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month
(5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 2* percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students, a quarter of the rate reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (8
percent). Three percent of HGISD 9th through 12th grade students reported past-month use of
an inhalant (3 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

One percent of HGISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Eight percent of HGISD 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 Honey Grove students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (7 percent/9 percent statewide). Five percent of district students reported
inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7
percent statewide), 4 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 4 percent
reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 3 percent
said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and
7b).

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 secondary students statewide has increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among secondary
students statewide over the last two years.

In the Honey Grove ISD, 15* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 8* percent of HGISD students said they had used

5
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 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 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives. Honey
Grove students reported average usage rates of 0.2 times in the past month and 1.5 times during
their lifetimes.

Ten* percent of HGISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a third
of the rate reported by their peers statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was
reported by 5* percent of Honey Grove 7th and 8th grade students (21 percent statewide) and
13* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (37 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 3* percent of Honey Grove ISD students, a rate
considerably lower than that reported by students statewide (16 percent) (Fig. 2). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 2* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (11 percent statewide)
and 3* percent of HGISD 9th through 12th graders (19 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three* percent of HGISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, in contrast to the 13 percent reported by students statewide. Attending
class while "stoned" was reported by 1* percent of Honey Grove 7th and 8th graders (10 percent
statewide) and 4* percent of district 9th through 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Fig. 10).
Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 4*
percent of Honey Grove ISD 9th through 12th grade students, a third of the rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide (12 percent).

Twenty-nine* percent of HGISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(53 percent statewide), while 5* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(21 percent statewide), and 2* percent said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with
their friends because of their own drug use (6 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported
by students statewide.

Six* percent of the Honey Grove ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, nearly a quarter of the rate
reported by their peers statewide (23 percent). Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all
parties was reported by 3* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (12 percent statewide)
and 7* percent of HGISD 9th through 12th grade students (29 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Honey Grove students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (85 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 Honey Grove ISD students at rates
generally lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Five percent of HGISD
students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had used steroids (2

6
percent statewide), 2* percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 1* percent said they
had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using downers (6 percent
statewide), 1* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), and 1 percent
reported using crack (3 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Honey Grove ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to have smoked
marijuana than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by
gender among HGISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. HGISD students living in other family situations were
nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana or used uppers than were those district
students living in homes with two parents. In addition, those HGISD students living in other
family situations were the only reported users of downers in the district. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Honey Grove ISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Honey Grove students said they would seek help from their friends (75 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-three percent of HGISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 62 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug or alcohol problem
from a counselor or program in school (28 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 2* percent of Honey Grove students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends, less than a third
of the rate reported by their peers statewide (7 percent).

Seventy-five percent of Honey Grove ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 59* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 52* percent said "an invited school guest"
was a source for this information (38 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
students statewide. Forty-nine percent of HGISD 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. Ninety-four* percent of Honey Grove students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), 93* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide), 86* percent believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70
percent statewide), 84* percent believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous" (60 percent

7
statewide), and 55* percent of HGISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Only 34 percent of
Honey Grove ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13).