TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

CROWLEY 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Crowley Independent School District (CISD). A total of
536 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 45 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 491.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Crowley ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 26 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Seventy-five percent of Crowley ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig.1), and 38 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight* percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 17 percent of district 10th and 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 5 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
•Twenty-two* percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 9* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Crowley ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (29 percent) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (29*
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 Crowley ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Crowley students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (57 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 48 percent of
district 8th graders (52 percent statewide) and 57 percent of CISD 10th graders (60 percent
statewide). Sixty-two percent of district 12th grade students said they had used a tobacco
product at least once during their lifetimes (63 percent statewide).

Twenty-six percent of Crowley ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 20 percent of CISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide) and 29
percent of district 10th grade students (27 percent statewide). Thirty percent of CISD 12th
graders said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (31 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of Crowley students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide), and 22 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 8 percent of
district students (8 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 10 percent of CISD
10th graders (10 percent statewide), 9 percent of Crowley 12th graders (12 percent statewide),
and 5 percent of district 8th graders (5 percent statewide). Sixteen* percent of Crowley ISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 23* percent of CISD students (19
percent statewide), while 9* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
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.

2
past month (6 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 3 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), while 5 percent said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-five percent of Crowley students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (78 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 67 percent of
CISD 8th graders (69 percent statewide) and 77 percent of district 10th graders (81 percent
statewide). Eighty-three percent of CISD 12th grade students said they had consumed alcohol
at least once during their lifetimes (86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight percent of Crowley ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (42 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 33 percent of
district 8th grade students (34 percent statewide) and 42 percent of CISD 10th grade students
(45 percent statewide). Forty-two* percent of district 12th graders said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by 12th graders statewide (52
percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Crowley students are wine coolers (65
percent/64 percent statewide) and beer (63 percent/63 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of
CISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (40 percent statewide), and 34
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 43
percent of CISD students (43 percent statewide), while 18 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide). Forty
percent of Crowley ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past
year (42 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (22 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Crowley students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while "drunk" was reported by 12
percent of CISD 8th graders (10 percent statewide) and 7 percent of CISD 10th graders (11
percent statewide). Four* percent of district 12th graders said they had attended at least one
class during the past school year while "drunk," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
12th graders statewide (10 percent) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

3
Seventeen percent of CISD 10th and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after
having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (18 percent statewide). Driving
while intoxicated was reported by 10 percent of district 10th grade students (11 percent
statewide) and 25 percent of Crowley 12th grade students (26 percent statewide). Driving while
intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 4 percent of district 10th
and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-six* percent of Crowley ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (80 percent). Thirty-five* percent of CISD students reported most or all of their
close friends drink alcohol, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (44
percent). Forty-five percent of district students responded "from friends" when asked where
they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any
kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 12 percent of CISD students
(10 percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of Crowley students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (44 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 20 percent of Crowley 8th graders (24 percent statewide), 57 percent of district 10th
graders (52 percent statewide), and 55 percent of CISD 12th graders (62 percent statewide)
(Fig. 12). Forty-two percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtained alcohol most of the time or always (47 percent statewide), while 23 percent of CISD
students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (23 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 CISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (27 percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (43 percent/50 percent
statewide). Sixty-four 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 (66 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 24* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (29 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, 78 percent of Crowley students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Six* percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 13 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

4
Inhalants3

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 somewhat. Overall, Crowley ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Crowley students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 28 percent of
district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 18 percent of CISD 10th graders (17 percent
statewide). Seven* percent of district 12th grade students said they had used inhalants at least
once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 12th grade students
statewide (15 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Crowley ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month, the
same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 9
percent of district 8th grade students (8 percent statewide) and 2 percent of CISD 10th grade
students (4 percent statewide). One percent of district 12th graders said they had used inhalants
during the past month (2 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of CISD 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). Twelve percent of CISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, the same rate
reported by students statewide.

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Crowley students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had
inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent
statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (6 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.
3 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.

5
In the Crowley ISD, 24* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 17* percent of CISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by their peers statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit
drugs reported using them an average of 1.6 times in the past 30 days and 4.7 times during their
lives. Crowley students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 3.7
times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two* percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 1).
Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Crowley 8th grade students (21 percent
statewide) and 25 percent of district 10th grade students (30 percent statewide). Twenty-five*
percent of CISD 12th graders said they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes,
compared to 4 percent of 12th graders statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9* percent of Crowley ISD students, a rate lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (13 percent) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was
reported by 7 percent of district 8th graders (11 percent statewide) and 13 percent of CISD 10th
graders (14 percent statewide). Eight* percent of district 12th grade students said they had used
marijuana during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 12th grade
students statewide (14 percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eight percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 7 percent of Crowley ISD 10th and 12th grade
students (9 percent statewide). Seven percent of district 10th graders (7 percent statewide) and
8 percent of CISD 12th graders said they had driven a car while under the influence of drugs
during the past year (12 percent statewide).

Fifty-one percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 12* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Six 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).

Sixteen percent of Crowley ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (19 percent statewide). Marijuana
and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 11 percent of district 8th graders (12
percent statewide), 17 percent of Crowley 10th graders (23 percent statewide), and 22 percent
of CISD 12th graders (24 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Crowley students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (88 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide),

6
while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Crowley ISD students. Seven percent of
CISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (7 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide),
and 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (6 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
Crowley ISD, there were no significant differences by gender with regard to the use of tobacco
or alcohol products, inhalants, 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. CISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers and nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana
than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Crowley ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Crowley students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent/76
percent statewide). Fifty-three* percent of CISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 50 percent said they would turn to their
parents (52 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (29* percent/33 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (29* percent/32 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4*
percent of Crowley students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy-one* percent of Crowley ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by students statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 58
percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (54 percent
statewide), while 41 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46
percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of CISD students reported getting information about
drugs and alcohol from a "health class," compared to 45 percent of students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-five* percent of Crowley students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 94* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of CISD students believe that inhalant

7
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 67 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (66 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of CISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (45 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of Crowley ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(38 percent) (Fig. 13).