TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MESQUITE 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 9 through 12 in the Mesquite Independent School District (MISD). A total of
5226 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 214 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 5012.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Mesquite ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Seventy-seven* percent of Mesquite ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 42* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Seven* percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 14 percent of district 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.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-seven* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 12* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Mesquite ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (81* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(26* 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 Mesquite ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Mesquite students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (60 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime general tobacco use ranged from
53* percent of MISD 9th graders (57 percent statewide) and 53* percent of Mesquite 10th
graders (60 percent statewide) to 59 percent of district 12th graders (63 percent statewide).

Twenty-five percent of Mesquite ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (27 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month general tobacco use ranged
from 23 percent of district 9th grade students (26 percent statewide) to 29 percent of MISD 12th
grade students (31 percent statewide)

Fifty-one* percent of Mesquite students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (57 percent). Twenty-
two* percent of MISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25
percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 10 percent of district
students (9 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 11 percent of Mesquite ISD
12th graders (12 percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of district students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 20 percent of MISD students (19
percent statewide), while 7 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (7 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 3 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 6 percent said most or all of
their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

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Alcohol

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

Seventy-seven* percent of Mesquite students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime alcohol use ranged from
72* percent of MISD 9th graders (76 percent statewide) to 83 percent of district 12th graders
(86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-two* percent of Mesquite ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among MISD 9th
graders (37* percent/41 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (49
percent/52 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Mesquite students are wine coolers (67
percent/68 percent statewide) and beer (63* percent/67 percent statewide). Thirty-seven*
percent of MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (43 percent
statewide), and 35* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (38 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 44*
percent of MISD students (47 percent statewide), while 23 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent statewide). Forty*
percent of Mesquite ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past
year (45 percent statewide), while 23 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (24 percent statewide).

Seven* percent of Mesquite students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Fourteen percent of MISD
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
Mesquite 12th graders (26 percent/26 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or
more times during the past year was reported by 4 percent of district students (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-five percent of Mesquite ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (84 percent statewide). Forty-two* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (48 percent statewide),
and 45* percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the

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time or always (49 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's
own drinking was reported by 12 percent of MISD students (11 percent statewide).

Forty-five* percent of Mesquite students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 51 percent of students statewide. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 58 percent of MISD 12th graders (62 percent statewide)
(Figs. 12a and 12b). Forty-six* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (53 percent statewide), while 23*
percent of MISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (27
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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (30 percent/31 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (49 percent/53 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven 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 (69 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 28* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (33 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, 77* percent of Mesquite
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (74 percent statewide). Five* percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (8 percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (13
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,
use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Mesquite ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Mesquite students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (17 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 15
percent of MISD 11th grade students (14 percent statewide) to 22* percent of district 9th grade
students (19 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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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Four percent of Mesquite ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (4
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current inhalant use ranged from 2 percent of MISD
12th graders (2 percent statewide) to 5 percent of district 9th graders (5 percent statewide)
(Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of MISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (2
percent statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven percent of MISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (10
percent statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Mesquite students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (8 percent/8 percent statewide). Seven* percent of district students said they had inhaled
paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent
statewide), and 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (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 Mesquite ISD, 30* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (33 percent statewide), while 21* percent of MISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (23 percent statewide). Statewide, students
who said they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.8 times in the past 30
days and 5.4 times during their lives. Mesquite students reported average usage rates of 1.5
times in the past month and 5.0 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-seven* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes (31 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime marijuana use ranged from 26
percent of MISD 9th graders (28 percent statewide) to 31 percent of district 12th graders (34
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 12* percent of Mesquite ISD students (14 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 11 percent of Mesquite 11th graders
(14 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 12th graders (14 percent statewide). Thirteen
percent of MISD 9th graders (14 percent statewide) and 13 percent of district 10th graders (14
percent statewide) reported past-month marijuana use (Figs. 6a and 6b).

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Eight* percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (11 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence
of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Mesquite ISD students
(8 percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs was reported by 12 percent of
MISD 12th graders (12 percent statewide).

Fifty-five* percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (58
percent statewide), and 15* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (19
percent statewide). Five 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 the Mesquite ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of
the parties they attended during the school year (22 percent statewide).

Fewer Mesquite ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4* percent/7 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/18 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (6 percent statewide). By contrast, 29 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 (34 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Mesquite students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (88 percent statewide). Four* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (6 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers (10 percent/9 percent statewide) and hallucinogens (9* percent/8 percent statewide) are
the next most frequently used illicit substances among Mesquite ISD students. Six percent of
MISD students reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 5* 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.
However, in the Mesquite 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. MISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana,
hallucinogens, or uppers than were students living in homes with two parents. There were no
other significant differences by living arrangement among Mesquite ISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco or alcohol products or other illegal drugs.

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When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Mesquite students said they would seek help from their friends (81* percent/77
percent statewide). Sixty percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 54* percent said they would turn to their parents
(51 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or
program in school (26* percent/31 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a nurse
or teacher (27* percent/31 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4*
percent of Mesquite students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy-four* percent of Mesquite ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (78 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 49* percent of district students as a source for this
information (52 percent statewide), while 43* percent reported getting information about drugs
and alcohol from a "health class" (45 percent statewide). Thirty-seven * percent of MISD
students said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (44 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-two percent of Mesquite students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (92 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of MISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (78 percent statewide), and 66* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (62 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 34 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).