TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

GRAND PRAIRIE 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 Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD). A
total of 2206 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 137 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 2069.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-six percent of Grand Prairie 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).

•Nine percent of GPISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 1
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-eight* percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 43* percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Eleven percent of GPISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 18 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."
1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I
(Standardized): District Survey Results." Sixth grade student participation in the secondary survey has been
eliminated throughout this report so that comparisons can be made with statewide data. 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 23* percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 6* percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-seven percent of GPISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 13 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Grand Prairie ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (77* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (31 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 Grand Prairie ISD students is similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-six percent of Grand Prairie students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was lowest among
GPISD 7th graders (45 percent/40 percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of district 10th graders
(60 percent statewide) and 61 percent of Grand Prairie 12th graders (63 percent statewide) said
they had used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes.

Twenty-six percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was lowest
among district 7th graders (19 percent/16 percent statewide). Thirty percent of GPISD 10th
grade students reported past-month use of a tobacco product (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-four percent of Grand Prairie students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 24 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9
percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 13 percent
of Grand Prairie ISD 10th graders (10 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of GPISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 17 percent of GPISD students (17
percent statewide), while 5 percent 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 1 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

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Alcohol

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

Seventy-eight* percent of Grand Prairie students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among
GPISD 7th graders (62 percent/58 percent statewide). Lifetime alcohol use was highest among
district 12th graders (92* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 12th graders
statewide (86 percent) (Fig. 3).

Forty-three* percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among GPISD 7th
graders (29 percent/24 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (55
percent/52 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Grand Prairie students are wine coolers (67*
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (64* percent/59 percent statewide). Forty-one* percent
of GPISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide),
and 40* 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 46*
percent of GPISD students (41 percent statewide), while 25* percent said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Forty-
three* percent of Grand Prairie ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during
the past year (39 percent statewide), while 25* percent said they usually drink five or more
beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Eleven percent of Grand Prairie students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while intoxicated
ranged from 8 percent of district 9th graders (10 percent statewide) to 13 percent of GPISD 8th
graders (10 percent statewide) and 13 percent of Grand Prairie 11th graders (10 percent
statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Eighteen percent of GPISD 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). The
highest rate of driving while intoxicated was reported by Grand Prairie 12th graders (30
percent/26 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past
year was reported by 5 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
11).

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Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-two* percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-five* percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 44* percent 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 12* percent of GPISD students (10 percent
statewide).

Forty-three* percent of Grand Prairie students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by GPISD 12th graders (66 percent/62 percent statewide) (Figs.
12a and 12b). Forty-eight* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where
they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 21 percent of
GPISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 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 GPISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (26 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (50 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-two* percent of district students who had experienced difficulties with school
officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 30* 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, 74 percent of Grand Prairie
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Ten 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).

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,

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.

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use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Grand Prairie ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-three* percent of Grand Prairie students reported using inhalants at least once during
their lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 17
percent of GPISD 11th grade students (14 percent statewide) and 17 percent of Grand Prairie
12th grade students (15 percent statewide) to 28 percent of district 8th grade students (24
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six* percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month
(5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current inhalant use ranged from 2 percent of
GPISD 12th grade students (2 percent statewide) to 10* percent of district 7th grade students (7
percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of GPISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 5* percent said they had attended at least one class during the past
school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of GPISD
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 Grand Prairie students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (12* percent/10 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of district students
reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 9* percent
said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 8* percent said they had inhaled
paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 8* percent said they had inhaled glue (6 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 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 Grand Prairie ISD, 30 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 22* percent of GPISD 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. Grand Prairie students reported average usage rates of 1.6
times in the past month and 4.7 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-seven percent of GPISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime

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marijuana use was lowest among district 7th graders (16 percent/13 percent statewide) and
highest among Grand Prairie 12th graders (38 percent/34 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13 percent of Grand Prairie ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana use ranged from 8 percent of district 7th
graders (6 percent statewide) to 16 percent of Grand Prairie 11th graders (14 percent statewide)
(Figs. 6a and 6b).

Ten percent of GPISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 7 percent of Grand Prairie 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 13 percent of district 10th
graders (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 9
percent of Grand Prairie ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving
under the influence of drugs was reported by 12 percent of GPISD 10th graders (7 percent
statewide) and 12 percent of district 12th graders (12 percent statewide).

Fifty-three* percent of GPISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 17 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).

Eighteen percent of Grand Prairie ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were
used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 27 percent of district 10th
graders (23 percent statewide).

Fewer Grand Prairie ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (14 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 28 percent of district
students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Grand Prairie students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers (8 percent/7 percent statewide) and hallucinogens (8 percent/6 percent statewide) are the
next most frequently used illicit substances among Grand Prairie ISD students. Reported use of
uppers was highest among district 11th graders (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Reported use

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of hallucinogens was highest among district 12th graders (13 percent/10 percent statewide)
(Figs. 6a and 6b). Seven* percent of district students said they had used powdered cocaine (5
percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), and 4* percent
reported using ecstasy (3 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
Grand Prairie ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among GPISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Grand Prairie ISD, students reporting lower grades were somewhat
more likely to have used powdered cocaine and nearly two times more likely to have used
inhalants or marijuana than were those students making A and B grades. There were no other
significant differences by grade average among GPISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. GPISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more 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
Grand Prairie ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal
substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Grand Prairie students said they would seek help from their friends (77*
percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-eight percent of GPISD 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 another
adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (31 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since
school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Grand Prairie students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-one percent of Grand Prairie 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 58* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 51* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Forty-two* percent of
GPISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol 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. Ninety percent of Grand Prairie 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-five percent of GPISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 67 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 46 percent of GPISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 39 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).