TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HEREFORD 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 Hereford Independent School District (HISD). A total of
1133 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 75 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 1058.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two* percent of Hereford ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 30* percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

•Nine percent of HISD 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 Hereford ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 44* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of HISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 25* 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: 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.

1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 23* percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 7* percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 11 percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Hereford ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 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 Hereford ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two* percent of Hereford students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use
was highest among district 11th graders (74* percent/61 percent statewide) and lowest among
HISD 7th graders (50* percent/40 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their
peers statewide. Sixty-seven* percent of district 8th grade students reported lifetime use of a
tobacco product, a rate higher than that reported by 8th grade students statewide (52 percent).

Thirty* percent of Hereford ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month general tobacco use ranged
from 19 percent of district 7th graders (16 percent statewide) to 38 percent of HISD 12th
graders (31 percent statewide).

Fifty-nine* percent of Hereford students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 28* percent of Hereford students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by students statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent
of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Hereford ISD
10th graders (17 percent/10 percent statewide). Twenty-one percent of HISD students said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26* percent of HISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Nine* percent of
Hereford ISD 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 3*

2
percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 6 percent said most or all of their close
friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Seventy-five percent of Hereford students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime alcohol use ranged from 55
percent of HISD 7th graders (58 percent statewide) to 85 percent of district 11th graders (83
percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-four* percent of Hereford ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).
The rates of current alcohol use ranged from 26 percent of HISD 7th graders (24 percent
statewide) to 57 percent of district 11th graders (48 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Hereford students are beer (67* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-six* percent of
HISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide (37 percent). Thirty-four percent of district students 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. Forty-nine* percent of Hereford ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 31* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 46* percent of HISD 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), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide.

Eleven percent of Hereford 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 6* percent of district 9th graders to 14 percent of HISD 10th graders (11 percent
statewide) and 14 percent of Hereford 11th graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Twenty-five* percent of HISD 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, a rate higher than that
reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (15 percent). The highest rate of driving
while intoxicated was reported by Hereford 12th graders (36* percent), compared to 26 percent

3
of 12th graders statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year
was reported by 9* 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-five percent of Hereford 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 47* 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 HISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-eight* percent of Hereford 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. The highest rate
of alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by HISD 12th graders (79* percent), a rate
higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (62 percent). Thirty-four* percent of
Hereford 8th grade students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in
the past school year, a rate higher than that reported by 8th grade students statewide (24
percent) (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 18 percent of HISD 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 HISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (33* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (51 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-three* 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 (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 32* 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, 71* percent of Hereford
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Twelve*
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
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.

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

Twenty-three* percent of Hereford students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 8th
grade students (32* percent/24 percent statewide) and lowest among HISD 12th grade students
(10 percent/15 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Seven* percent of Hereford ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was highest among district 8th grade students
(12* percent/8 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of HISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Sixteen* percent of HISD 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 Hereford students was gasoline (12* percent/6
percent statewide). Eleven* percent of district students said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint
(7 percent statewide), 10* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category
(8 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent
statewide), and 8* percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (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 Hereford ISD, 27 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 19 percent of HISD 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. Hereford students reported average usage rates of 1.5 times in
the past month and 3.9 times during their lifetimes.

5
Twenty-four percent of HISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was highest among Hereford 11th graders (36 percent/32 percent statewide) and lowest
among HISD 7th graders (13 percent/13 percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of district 9th
grade students reported lifetime marijuana use, a rate lower than that reported by 9th grade
students statewide (28 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 11 percent of Hereford ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana use ranged from 7* percent of district 12th
graders (14 percent statewide) and 7 percent of HISD 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 19
percent of Hereford 11th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Nine percent of HISD 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 4* percent of Hereford 12th graders (9 percent statewide) to 15 percent of district 11th
graders (10 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 Hereford ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving under
the influence of drugs was reported by 13 percent of HISD 11th graders (10 percent statewide).

Forty-one* percent of HISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 13* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Four 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). Eleven*
percent of the Hereford ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most
or all of the parties they attended during the school year, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (17 percent).

Fewer Hereford ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (7 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, 38 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, Hereford students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (87 percent statewide). Nine 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).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Hereford ISD students (11*
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 11th graders

6
(19 percent/10 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Seven percent of district students said they
had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), and 4* percent said they had used hallucinogens (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
Hereford ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product or an
inhalant, over two times more likely to have smoked marijuana, and over three times more
likely to have used powdered cocaine than were district female students. There were no other
significant differences by gender among HISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or
other illicit drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. HISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant, smoked marijuana, used powdered cocaine, or
used an hallucinogen than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There
were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Hereford ISD students with
regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Hereford students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-two* percent of HISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 56 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, 7 percent of Hereford students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Seventy-six percent of Hereford ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of students
statewide. Fifty-five* percent of HISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from a "health class," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (46 percent).
"An assembly program" was reported by 44* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 38* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Hereford students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 90 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of HISD students believe that

7
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-six* percent of district
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," compared to 67 percent of students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 44
percent of HISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide),
while 40 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).