TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

DIBOLL 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 Diboll Independent School District (DISD). A total of
678 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 35 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 643.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-one percent of Diboll ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 21 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Four* percent of Diboll ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Sixty-nine* percent of Diboll ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Diboll ISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 15 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 15 percent of Diboll ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen* percent of Diboll ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Diboll ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (74 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(35 percent) or another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (35 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 Diboll ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-one percent of Diboll students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 47 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Fifty-three percent of DISD 9th through
12th graders reported lifetime use of a tobacco product, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (60 percent).

Twenty-one percent of Diboll 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 16
percent of DISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 24 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of Diboll students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 17* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 4*
percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 2
percent of Diboll 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 6 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Ten* percent of DISD students said most or
all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (19 percent).

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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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 21 percent of DISD students (17
percent statewide), while 8 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
reported by 3 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 8 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 Diboll ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992.
Overall, Diboll ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those reported by
their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine* percent of Diboll students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 59 percent of
DISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of district 9th through
12th graders reported lifetime alcohol use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th
through 12th graders statewide (81 percent) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five percent of Diboll ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 28 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of DISD 9th
through 12th grade students reported consuming alcohol during the past month, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (46 percent)
(Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Diboll students are beer (56 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (53* percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of
DISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
25* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-four percent of Diboll ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (39 percent statewide), while 20 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 32* percent of DISD
students, compared to 41 percent of students statewide. Sixteen percent of district students said
they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent
statewide).

Nine percent of Diboll students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 9

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percent of DISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 9 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Fifteen percent of DISD 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, the same rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the
past year was reported by 4 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-four percent of Diboll ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by students statewide (40 percent). Thirty-seven percent of Diboll 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 7 percent of DISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of Diboll 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. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 18 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent
statewide). Thirty-seven* percent of DISD 9th through 12th graders reported alcohol use at
most or all parties, a rate lower than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (51
percent) (Fig. 12). Thirty-eight* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 14* percent
of DISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students 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 DISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (39 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-four 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 20* 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, 74 percent of Diboll students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eleven percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Inhalants4

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

Fifteen percent of Diboll students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 23 percent of district 7th
and 8th graders (22 percent statewide). Ten* percent of DISD 9th through 12th graders
reported lifetime inhalant use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th through 12th
graders statewide (17 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Diboll ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 11 percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (7 percent statewide) and 3 percent of DISD 9th through 12th grade students (4
percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of DISD 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). Ten percent of DISD 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 Diboll students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 5
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had
inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 4 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
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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marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Diboll ISD, 19* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 12* percent of DISD 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.
Diboll students reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the past month and 2.3 times during
their lifetimes.

Seventeen* percent of DISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 11 percent of Diboll 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent
statewide). Twenty-one* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported lifetime
marijuana use, a rate lower than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (31
percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8* percent of Diboll ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 10 percent of DISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of DISD 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 3
percent of Diboll 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 7 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Diboll ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8
percent statewide).

Thirty-eight* percent of DISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (38
percent statewide), and 8* 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 (5 percent statewide).

Eight* percent of the Diboll 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 4*
percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of DISD
9th through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties,
a rate lower than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (22 percent).

Fewer Diboll ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (10 percent/15 percent statewide). Two

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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 (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 21 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, Diboll students reported a
disapproval rate of 87 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 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Diboll ISD students. Five percent of
DISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 3
percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using ecstasy (3
percent statewide), 2* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 1
percent reported using crack (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
Diboll ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and
nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were district female students.
There were no significant differences by gender among DISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol, inhalants, 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. DISD students living in other family situations were
nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students living
in homes with two parents. There were no significant differences by living arrangement among
Diboll ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other
illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Diboll students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of DISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 52 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 (35 percent/35 percent statewide) or another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (35 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3*
percent of Diboll students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

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Seventy-eight percent of Diboll ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). Fifty-four*
percent of DISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health
class," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (46 percent). "An
assembly program" was reported by 49 percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 46 percent said "an invited school guest"
was a source for this information (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Diboll 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-two percent of DISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 72 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 46 percent of DISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 37 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).