TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SANGER 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 Sanger Independent School District (SISD). A total of
569 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 33 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 536.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-four percent of Sanger ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Sixty-seven* percent of Sanger 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).2

•Seven percent of Sanger ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 17 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 22 percent of Sanger ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-two percent of Sanger 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).

•Sanger ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(26* 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 Sanger ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-four percent of Sanger students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 43 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 61 percent of SISD 9th through 12th
graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-two percent of Sanger 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 15
percent of SISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 27 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Fifty percent of Sanger students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their lifetimes
(52 percent statewide), and 19 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month
(24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 10 percent of
district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 3 percent of
Sanger 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of district 9th through
12th grade students reported using cigarettes on a daily basis, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by their 9th through 12th grade peers statewide (9 percent). Sixteen percent of SISD
students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (18 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of SISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (16 percent). Seven
percent of Sanger students 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

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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by 1 percent of district students (2 percent statewide). Three percent of SISD students said
most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (15 percent).

Alcohol

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

Sixty-seven* percent of Sanger students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (74 percent)
(Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 59 percent of SISD 7th and 8th graders (63
percent statewide). Seventy-two* percent of district 9th through 12th graders said they had
consumed alcohol at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by 9th through 12th graders statewide (81 percent) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five percent of Sanger ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 24 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 42 percent of SISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Sanger students are wine coolers (56
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (54 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of
SISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
24* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates
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. Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 38
percent of SISD 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-seven
percent of Sanger 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 Sanger students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 6
percent of SISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 7 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Seventeen percent of SISD 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

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while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 5 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 Sanger ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (40 percent). Thirty-six percent of SISD 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 SISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-six percent of Sanger 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 8* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and
8th graders statewide (19 percent). Fifty-three percent of SISD 9th through 12th graders said
alcohol was used at most or all parties they attended in the past school year (51 percent
statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-six* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by students statewide (44 percent). Seventeen percent of SISD 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 SISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (37 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 23 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 Sanger students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight 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).
Inhalants

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

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Twenty-two percent of Sanger students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 20 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide). Twenty-three percent of SISD 9th through
12th graders said they had used inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

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

Two percent of SISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fifteen percent of SISD 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 Sanger students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 7* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent
statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (6 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 Sanger ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 17 percent of SISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to 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. Sanger
students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 4.6 times during their
lifetimes.

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Twenty-two percent of SISD 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 11 percent of Sanger 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (17 percent). Twenty-nine percent of
district 9th through 12th grade students said they had used marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of Sanger 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 14 percent of SISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eight percent of SISD 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 5
percent of Sanger 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 9 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 Sanger ISD 9th through 12th grade students
(8 percent statewide).

Forty-six percent of SISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (38 percent). Thirteen
percent of Sanger students 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).

Sixteen percent of the Sanger 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 4* percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 23 percent of SISD 9th through 12th grade students (22
percent statewide).

Fewer Sanger ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (2 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (10 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Sanger students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 percent (87 percent statewide). Seven 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).

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Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Sanger ISD students (9
percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of SISD students said they had used hallucinogens
(6 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said
they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 5* percent reported using ecstasy (3
percent statewide), 3 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), and 2 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
Sanger ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to report marijuana use than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among SISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. SISD students living in other family situations were
more than twice as likely to report marijuana use than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Sanger ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit
substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Sanger students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of SISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 51 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 (26* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
5 percent of Sanger 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 Sanger ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 42* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 39* percent said a "health class" was a
source for this information (46 percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent of SISD students
reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from an "invited school guest" (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 Sanger 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 SISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 62 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and

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tobacco use is lower. Only 43 percent of SISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of Sanger ISD students believe that tobacco use
is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).