TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

WILSON 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 Wilson Independent School District (WISD). A total of 89 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 87.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Fifty-four percent of Wilson ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 19 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

• Six percent of Wilson ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

• Sixty-nine percent of Wilson ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 24* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

• Twenty percent of Wilson 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 11 percent of Wilson ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

• Sixteen* percent of Wilson ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Wilson ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (78 percent) and least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (38
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 Wilson ISD students appears to have been somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-four percent of Wilson students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Nineteen percent of Wilson ISD students said they had
used a tobacco product during the past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-one percent of Wilson 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 6 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide). Sixteen percent of district students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 13 percent of WISD students (16
percent statewide), while 3 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a
daily basis (1 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said most or all of their close
friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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.

4
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 Wilson ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Wilson ISD students appear to have been drinking alcohol at rates somewhat
similar to those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Wilson students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Twenty-four* percent of Wilson ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Wilson students are beer (51 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (49 percent/58 percent statewide). Twenty-eight percent of
WISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 19
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 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-four percent of Wilson ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 23 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 38 percent of WISD
students (40 percent statewide), while 14 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Five percent of Wilson students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty percent of WISD 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 10 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-four percent of Wilson ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty percent of district students
reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 31 percent
responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always
(39 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was
reported by 9 percent of WISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-three percent of Wilson students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Thirty-four percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide), while 13 percent of WISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always (17 percent statewide).

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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 WISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (17 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (28 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty-two percent of the Wilson 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 11 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, 82 percent of Wilson students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 6 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

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, Wilson ISD
students appear to have been using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Eleven percent of Wilson students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes (20
percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Five percent of Wilson ISD students said they had used inhalants
during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of WISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Five percent of WISD 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 Wilson students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (2* percent/9 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had inhaled
gasoline (5 percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 2* percent reported inhaling correction fluid/Liquid Paper (9 percent statewide), 1

5
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
percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported inhaling
substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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 Wilson ISD, 23 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 10* percent of WISD students said they had used 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. Wilson
students reported average usage rates of 0.7 times in the past month and 2.0 times during their
lifetimes.

Sixteen* percent of WISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
nearly half the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 8 percent of Wilson ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Thirteen percent of WISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 4 percent of Wilson ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (12 percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of WISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 10 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. One
percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends
because of their own drug use (6 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of the Wilson 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 23 percent of students statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Wilson students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 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 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Wilson ISD students. Powdered cocaine is
the next most frequently used illegal drug among district students (11 percent/7 percent
statewide). Four percent of WISD students said they had used uppers (8 percent statewide), 2
percent reported using hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), and 1 percent said they had used
downers (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the Wilson students
reported ever using crack (3 percent statewide), steroids (2 percent statewide), or ecstasy (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Wilson ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked
marijuana, nearly twice as likely to have used inhalants or powdered cocaine, and over two times
more likely to have used uppers than were district female students. In addition, Wilson male
students were the only reported users of hallucinogens or downers in the district. There were no
other significant differences by gender among WISD students with regard to the use of tobacco
products or alcohol.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. WISD students living in other family situations were
over three times more likely to have smoked marijuana or used powdered cocaine than were
those district students living in homes with two parents. In addition, Wilson students living in
other family situations were the only reported users of uppers or downers in the district. There
were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Wilson ISD students with
regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or hallucinogens.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Wilson students said they would seek help from their friends (78 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-four percent of WISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 55 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (38
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of Wilson
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-eight percent of Wilson 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 69* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (44 percent).
Fifty-seven percent of WISD students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (38 percent statewide), while 42 percent reported getting this
information 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. Eighty-eight percent of Wilson students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 78 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-two percent of WISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 79* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Fifty-nine percent of
WISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 51
percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).