TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MIDLAND 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 Midland Independent School District (MISD). A total of
3014 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 189 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 2825.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two* percent of Midland ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Eleven* percent of MISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-seven percent of Midland 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).

•Ten percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 23* percent of district 10th and 12th grade students said they

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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 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 23* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6* percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-seven percent of MISD 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).

•Midland ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (28* percent), or a counselor or program in school (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 Midland ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two* percent of Midland students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (57 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 53 percent of
district 8th graders (52 percent statewide). Sixty-seven* percent of MISD 10th grade students
(60 percent statewide) and 71* percent of district 12th grade students said they had used a
tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes (63 percent statewide), rates somewhat
higher than those reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide.

Thirty-three* percent of Midland ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 25 percent of MISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide). Thirty-
seven* percent of district 10th grade students (27 percent statewide) and 39* percent of MISD
12th grade students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (31 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Fifty-eight* percent of Midland students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide), and 29* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11*
percent of district students (8 percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of MISD 12th graders
reported daily cigarette use (12 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of Midland ISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 26* percent of MISD students (19
percent statewide), while 11* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), while 10* 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 Midland ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Midland ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their
peers statewide.

Seventy-seven percent of Midland students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (78 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 67 percent
of MISD 8th graders (69 percent statewide) and 82 percent of district 10th graders (81 percent
statewide). Eighty-six percent of MISD 12th grade students said they had consumed alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes, the same rate reported by 12th grade students statewide (Fig.
3).

Forty-three percent of Midland 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 46 percent of MISD 10th grade students
(45 percent statewide). Fifty-four percent of district 12th graders said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month (52 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Midland students are beer (64 percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/64 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of
MISD 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. Forty-six* percent of Midland ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 28* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge drinking"
of wine coolers was reported by 45 percent of MISD students (43 percent statewide), while 25*
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(20 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Midland students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while "drunk" was reported by 8*

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percent of MISD 8th graders (10 percent statewide), 12 percent of MISD 10th graders (11
percent statewide), and 11 percent district 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Twenty-three* percent of MISD 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 16* percent of district 10th grade students (11
percent statewide). Thirty-three* percent of Midland 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
somewhat higher than that reported by 12th grade students statewide (26 percent). Driving
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 7* 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-two percent of Midland ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (80 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (44 percent statewide), and 47*
percent 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 11 percent of MISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-six percent of Midland 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 26 percent of Midland 8th graders (24 percent statewide), 55 percent of district 10th
graders (52 percent statewide), and 67* percent of MISD 12th graders (62 percent statewide)
(Fig. 12). Forty-eight percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtained alcohol most of the time or always (47 percent statewide), while 19* percent of MISD
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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (30 percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (47 percent/50 percent
statewide). Sixty-eight 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 Midland students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Seven* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer

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(9 percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (12
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 somewhat. Overall, Midland ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-three* percent of Midland students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was
reported by 27* percent of district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 21* percent of MISD
10th graders (17 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of district 12th grade students said
they had used inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by 12th grade students statewide (15 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six* percent of Midland ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 11* percent of district 8th
grade students (8 percent statewide) and 3 percent of MISD 10th grade students (4 percent
statewide). Three percent of district 12th graders said they had used inhalants during the past
month (2 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of MISD 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 MISD 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 Midland students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12* percent/10 percent statewide). Ten* percent of MISD students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 9* percent said they had
inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 9* percent said they had inhaled paint thinner
(6 percent statewide), 8* percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 8*
percent reported inhaling gasoline (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
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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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 Midland ISD, 30 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 22 percent of MISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent 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. Midland students reported average usage rates of 1.8 times in the
past month and 5.3 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-seven percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 18* percent of Midland 8th grade students (21 percent statewide)
and 30 percent of district 10th grade students (30 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of
MISD 12th graders said they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (34 percent
statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13 percent of Midland ISD students, the same rate
reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of
district 8th graders (11 percent statewide) and 13 percent of MISD 10th graders (14 percent
statewide). Sixteen percent of district 12th grade students said they had used marijuana during
the past month (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eleven percent of MISD 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 11 percent of Midland ISD 10th and 12th grade
students (9 percent statewide). Nine* percent of district 10th graders (7 percent statewide) and
15 percent of MISD 12th graders (12 percent statewide) said they had driven a car while under
the influence of drugs during the past year.

Fifty-three percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 14* 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 the Midland 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). Drug
use at most or all parties was reported by 14 percent of district 8th graders (12 percent
statewide), 20 percent of Midland 10th graders (23 percent statewide), and 23 percent of MISD
12th graders (24 percent statewide).

Fewer Midland ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (9 percent/7 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (14 percent/16 percent statewide). Four

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percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (5 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 (33 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Midland 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), 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 Midland ISD students (10*
percent/8 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had used
hallucinogens (7 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (6 percent
statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using
ecstasy (3 percent statewide), and 3* percent said they had used steroids (2 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
Midland ISD, there were no other significant differences by gender with regard to the use of
tobacco, alcohol, 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 marijuana than were those district students living in homes
with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among
Midland ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal
drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Midland students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent/76
percent statewide). Sixty* percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their parents (52
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult in school,
such as a nurse or teacher (28* percent/32 percent statewide), or a counselor or program in
school (29* percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of
Midland students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Sixty-three* percent of Midland 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. "An assembly program" was reported by 31* percent of district students as a source

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for information about drugs and alcohol (54 percent statewide), while 31* percent also reported
getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45 percent statewide).
Twenty-two* percent of MISD students said "an invited school guest" was a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Midland students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-four* percent of MISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 66 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (66 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 43 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (45 percent statewide). Thirty-two* percent of Midland ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(38 percent) (Fig. 13).