TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

NEW DIANA 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 New Diana Independent School District (NDISD). A
total of 324 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 301.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-seven* percent of New Diana ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 39* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Thirteen* percent of New Diana ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 6* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Eighty* percent of New Diana 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).

•Thirteen percent of New Diana ISD students reported attending at least one class
during the past year while "drunk," and 19 percent of district 9th through 12th

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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 grade students said they 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 24* percent of New Diana ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of New Diana ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 10 percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•New Diana 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 (22* 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 New Diana ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Sixty-seven* percent of New Diana students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 62* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 7th
and 8th graders statewide (46 percent). Seventy-one* percent of NDISD 9th through 12th
graders reported lifetime general tobacco use, a rate also higher than that reported by 9th
through 12th graders statewide (60 percent).

Thirty-nine* percent of New Diana ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general
tobacco use was reported by 41* percent of NDISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent
statewide) and 38* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-three* percent of New Diana students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 37* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during
the past month (22 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 13* percent of district students, compared
to 7 percent of students statewide. Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 9 percent of New
Diana 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 16 percent of district 9th through
12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Thirty-six* percent of NDISD students said most or

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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all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide
(19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 38* percent of NDISD students
(17 percent statewide), while 16* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product
during the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 6* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide). Twenty-two* percent of New Diana students said most
or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, compared to 5 percent of students statewide.

Alcohol

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

Eighty* percent of New Diana students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 72* percent of
NDISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th and 8th graders
statewide (63 percent). Eighty-four percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported
lifetime alcohol consumption (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-three percent of New Diana ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 38* percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their 7th and
8th grade counterparts statewide (29 percent). Forty-three percent of NDISD 9th through 12th
grade students reported past-month alcohol consumption (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by New Diana students are beer (64 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (64 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of
NDISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
36 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 49*
percent of NDISD students (41 percent statewide), while 28* percent said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates
somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Forty-six* percent of New Diana
ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent
statewide), while 30* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average
when they drink (20 percent statewide), rates also somewhat higher than those reported by
students statewide.

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Thirteen percent of New Diana 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 percent of NDISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 15 percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Nineteen percent of NDISD 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 (15 percent 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. Eighty-one percent of New Diana ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-four percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 44 percent 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 11 percent of NDISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-one* percent of New Diana 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 12 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent
statewide) and 43 percent of NDISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 12). Forty-two percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time
or always (44 percent statewide), while 19 percent of NDISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always (21 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 NDISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (35* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (55 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-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, compared
to 65 percent of students statewide. By contrast, only 30* 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 New Diana
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Five* percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 11 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, New Diana ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-four* percent of New Diana students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 29 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 7th and 8th graders
statewide (22 percent). Twenty-one percent of NDISD 9th through 12th graders reported
lifetime inhalant use (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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

Five percent of NDISD 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). Seventeen* percent of NDISD 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 New Diana students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (16* percent/10 percent statewide). Twelve* percent of district students said they had
inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 12* percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide),
10* percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 10* percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 10 percent reported inhaling substances in
the "other inhalants" category (8 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.

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 the New Diana ISD, 29 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 21 percent of NDISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by students 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. New
Diana students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 4.1 times during
their lifetimes.

Twenty-four percent of NDISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 18 percent of New Diana 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent
statewide) and 27 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of New Diana ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 13 percent of NDISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eight percent of NDISD 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 4
percent of New Diana 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 10 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 12 percent of New Diana ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-nine percent of NDISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 12* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Seven 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).

Thirteen* percent of the New Diana ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were
used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 2 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 19 percent of NDISD 9th through 12th grade
students (22 percent statewide).

Fewer New Diana ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent/15 percent statewide). Three
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, 26 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).

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When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, New Diana students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Four* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 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 New Diana ISD students (13*
percent/7 percent statewide). Six percent of NDISD students said they had used hallucinogens
(6 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said
they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using crack (2 percent
statewide), 3* percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 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
New Diana ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used steroids than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among NDISD
students 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. NDISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used powdered cocaine or uppers than were those district
students living in homes with two parents. On the other hand, NDISD students living in two-
parent homes were the only reported users of ecstasy in the district. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among New Diana ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of New Diana students said they would seek help from their friends (80* percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Fifty-five percent of NDISD students said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 49 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 (22* percent), a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (35 percent) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of New Diana
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Fifty-seven* percent of New Diana 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. Thirty-six* percent of district students reported getting information about
drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while "an assembly program"
was reported by 21* percent as a source for this information (53 percent statewide). Twelve*

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percent of NDISD 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. Eighty-eight percent of New Diana 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 district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (67 percent). Seventy-one* percent of NDISD students believe that inhalant use is
"very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (77
percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 42
percent of NDISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide).
Thirty* percent of district students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," compared to 41
percent of students statewide (Fig. 13).