TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PLANO 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 Plano Independent School District (PISD). A total of
2663 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 192 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 2471.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Forty-nine* percent of Plano ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 24 percent said they had used tobacco during the past month (Fig.
2).2

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

•Sixty-nine* percent of Plano 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 PISD 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."

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Plano
ISD." 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 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 one 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 19 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3* percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-one* percent of PISD 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).

•Plano ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol problem
(86* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a teacher or
nurse (22* 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 Plano ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Forty-nine* percent of Plano students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 57 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 39* percent of district 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 8th graders
statewide (52 percent). Fifty-one* percent of PISD 10th graders said they had used a tobacco
product at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 10th
graders statewide (60 percent). Lifetime general tobacco use was reported by 60 percent of
district 12th grade students (63 percent statewide).

Twenty-four percent of Plano ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 16*
percent of PISD 8th grade students, compared to 23 percent of 8th graders statewide. Twenty-
nine percent of district 10th grade students (27 percent statewide) and 30 percent of PISD 12th
graders (31 percent statewide) said they had used a tobacco product during the past month.

Forty-seven* percent of Plano students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (55 percent). Twenty-
three percent of PISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (26
percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of district
students (8 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 14 percent of PISD 12th
graders (12 percent statewide) and 12 percent of district 10th graders (10 percent statewide).
Twenty-two percent of Plano ISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 16 percent of PISD students (19
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

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reported by 1 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), while 6 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 Plano ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Plano ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine* percent of Plano students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 78 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 53* percent of PISD 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 8th graders
statewide (69 percent). Seventy-four* percent of district 10th graders said they had consumed
alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 10th
graders statewide (81 percent). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 83 percent of PISD 12th
grade students (86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-eight* percent of Plano ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (42 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 26* percent of
district 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 8th grade students
statewide (34 percent). Forty-two percent of PISD 10th grade students said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month (45 percent statewide). Past-month alcohol use was reported by
50 percent of district 12th graders (52 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Plano students are beer (56* percent/63
percent statewide) and wine coolers (55* percent/64 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by students statewide. Thirty-two* percent of PISD students said they drink
beer on a weekly or monthly basis (40 percent statewide), and 28* percent said they drink wine
coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide), rates also somewhat lower than those
reported by their peers statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-three* percent of Plano ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 16* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 33* percent of PISD students (43 percent statewide),
while 13* percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (20 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Eight percent of Plano students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while "drunk" was reported by 3*

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percent of PISD 8th graders, compared to 10 percent of 8th graders statewide. Eight percent of
PISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide) and 12 percent of district 12th graders (10 percent
statewide) reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (Figs.
9a and 9b).

Seventeen percent of PISD 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 8 percent of district 10th grade students (11 percent
statewide) and 25 percent of Plano 12th grade students (26 percent statewide). Driving while
intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 5 percent of district 10th
and 12th graders, the same rate reported by 10th and 12th graders statewide (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-three* percent of Plano ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (80 percent statewide). Thirty-six* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (44 percent statewide),
and 37* percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 12 percent of PISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight* percent of Plano students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 44 percent of students statewide. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 11* percent of Plano 8th graders, a rate lower than that
reported by 8th graders statewide (24 percent). Forty-six* percent of district 10th graders said
alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by 10th graders statewide (52 percent). Alcohol use at most
or all parties was reported by 63 percent of PISD 12th graders (62 percent statewide) (Fig. 12).
Thirty-eight* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain
alcohol most of the time or always (47 percent statewide), while 14* percent of PISD students
said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (23 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts 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 PISD students who had not been absent since September
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/29 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/50 percent
statewide). Sixty-five 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 27 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).

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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, 82* percent of Plano students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, compared to 76 percent of students statewide.
Four* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their
age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 10 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, Plano ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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

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

Five* percent of PISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
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 PISD students
said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12
percent statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Plano students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants" category (8
percent/8 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (6
percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 5* percent said
they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 5* percent said they had inhaled
paint thinner (6 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

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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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 Plano ISD, 26* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 17* percent of PISD 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. Plano students reported average usage rates of 1.9 times in the past
month and 4.4 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-one* percent of PISD 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 9* percent of Plano 8th grades, a rate lower than that
reported by 8th graders statewide (21 percent). Twenty-seven percent of district 10th grade
students (30 percent statewide) and 29* percent of PISD 12th grade students (34 percent
statewide) said they had used marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Plano ISD students (13 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 4* percent of district 8th graders,
compared to 11 percent of 8th graders statewide. Sixteen percent of PISD 10th graders (14
percent statewide) and 16 percent of district 12th graders (14 percent statewide) said they had
used marijuana during the past month (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Nine percent of PISD 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 Plano ISD 10th and 12th grade
students (9 percent statewide). Nine percent of district 10th graders (7 percent statewide) and
13 percent of PISD 12th graders said they had driven a car while under the influence of drugs
during the past year (12 percent statewide).

Forty-seven* percent of PISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
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, the same rate reported by students
statewide.

Seventeen percent of Plano 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 4* percent of district 8th graders, compared to 12 percent
of 8th graders statewide. Twenty-seven percent of Plano 10th grade students (23 percent

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statewide) and 22 percent of PISD 12th grade students (24 percent statewide) said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year.

Fewer Plano ISD students who had not been absent since September reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent/7 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/16 percent statewide). Five
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, 33 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, Plano students reported a
disapproval rate of 93* percent (88 percent statewide). Three* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent
statewide), while 2* percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17).

Uppers (10 percent/8 percent statewide) and hallucinogens (10* percent/7 percent statewide) are
the next most frequently used illicit substances among Plano ISD students. Five percent of
PISD students reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 5* percent reported using ecstasy
(3 percent statewide), and 4* 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
Plano ISD, however, female students were two times more likely to have used uppers than were
district male students. There were no other significant differences by gender among PISD
students 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. PISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and nearly two times more likely to have
used marijuana, hallucinogens, or uppers than were those district students living in homes with
two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Plano
ISD students with regard to the use of alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Plano students said they would seek help from their friends (86* percent),
compared to 76 percent of students statewide. Fifty-five percent of PISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 57* percent said
they would turn to their parents (53 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek

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help from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (22* percent/32 percent statewide),
or a counselor or program in school (24* percent/33 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4*
percent of Plano students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy* percent of Plano 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 45*
percent of district students as a source for this information (54 percent statewide), while 37*
percent said "an invited school guest" (46 percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent of PISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45 percent
statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four* percent of Plano students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-two* percent of PISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 65 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (66 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 41* percent of PISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (45 percent statewide), while 32* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(38 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).