TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

CANTON ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, 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 Canton Independent School District (CISD). A total of
554 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 23 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 531.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine percent of Canton ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 29 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven* percent of Canton ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 5* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

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

•Seven percent of Canton ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 23* 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.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 19 percent of Canton ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Nineteen* percent of Canton ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 5* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Canton ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (34 percent) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (34
percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Canton ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-nine percent of Canton students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 45 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Sixty-eight* percent of CISD 9th through
12th graders reported lifetime tobacco use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (60 percent).

Twenty-nine percent of Canton ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 20
percent of CISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students reported having used tobacco within the past month, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (27 percent).

Fifty-four percent of Canton students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 25 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 (7 percent statewide). Twenty-three percent of CISD students said most or
all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (18 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of CISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (16 percent). Nine* percent of
district students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month (6

3 Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in 1994.

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percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5*
percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 12* percent said most or all of their close
friends use smokeless tobacco (15 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Canton ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall,
Canton ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Canton students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 56 percent of
CISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (63
percent). Seventy-seven percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol
use (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-three* percent of Canton ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol
use was reported by 17* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students, a rate lower than that
reported by their peers statewide (29 percent). Forty-two percent of CISD 9th through 12th
grade students reported having used alcohol within the past month (46 percent statewide) (Fig.
4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Canton students are beer (58 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (57 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of
CISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 30
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. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 39
percent of CISD students (41 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Thirty-six
percent of Canton ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 23 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Seven percent of Canton students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 5
percent of CISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 8 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty-three* percent of CISD 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 somewhat higher than

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that reported by their counterparts statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or
more times during the past year was reported by 7 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-eight percent of Canton ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their peers statewide (40 percent). Thirty-seven percent of CISD students
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 10 percent of CISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of Canton students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 16 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 52 percent of
CISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of CISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers
statewide (21 percent).

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 been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer CISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (29 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (38 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-one 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 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 (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, 80 percent of Canton students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Nine percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).
Inhalants4

4 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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In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Canton ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Nineteen percent of Canton 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 24
percent of district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 17 percent of CISD 9th
through 12th graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Canton ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 9 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 2 percent of CISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of CISD 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). Twelve percent of CISD 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 Canton students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Eight percent of CISD students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had
inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 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. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Canton ISD, 22* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 14* percent of CISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their peers 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.
Canton students reported an average usage rate of 2.8 times during their lifetimes.

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Nineteen* percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
compared to 25 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by
9* percent of Canton 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 24 percent of district
9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those
reported by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5* percent of Canton ISD students, compared to 12
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 2* percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 7* percent of CISD 9th through 12th
graders (14 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Four* percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 2*
percent of Canton 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide). Five* percent of district 9th
through 12th graders reported having attended class while "stoned," a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by their peers statewide (11 percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Canton ISD 9th through
12th grade students, the same rate reported by students statewide.

Thirty-six* percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide). Seven* percent of Canton students reported most or all of their close friends
use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent).
Four percent of district students said they had been in "difficulties of any kind" with their
friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Six* percent of the Canton ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of
students statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 1*
percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 9* percent of CISD 9th
through 12th grade students (22 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

None of the Canton ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent statewide), while 8 percent who said they had
missed four or more days of school reported past-month marijuana use (15 percent statewide).
Two percent of district students who had not been in trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 13 percent of district
students who had been in trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using
marijuana during the past 30 days, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (31
percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Canton students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said

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they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are use by a small number of Canton ISD students. Seven percent of
CISD students said they had used uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using
downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 3*
percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide),
and 2 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
Canton ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco products,
inhalants, marijuana, or steroids than were district female students. There were no other
significant differences by gender among CISD students with regard to the use of alcohol 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. CISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used uppers and over two times more likely to have used
inhalants or marijuana than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There
were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Canton ISD students with
regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Canton students, 80* percent, said they would seek help from their friends, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (74 percent). Fifty-nine percent of
CISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide),
and 59 percent said they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are
least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school (34 percent/35 percent
statewide) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (34 percent/33 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Canton students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-five percent of Canton ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). Forty-
eight percent of district students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a
"health class" (46 percent statewide). "An assembly program" was reported by 41* percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide),

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while 33* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-six percent of Canton students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 94 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-nine percent of CISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 68 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 38 percent of CISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol, compared to 46 percent of students statewide. Twenty-eight* percent of district
students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).