TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SCURRY-ROSSER 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 Scurry-Rosser Independent School District (SRISD). A
total of 302 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 7 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 295.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-seven percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 4 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-nine percent of Scurry-Rosser 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).

•Eight percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students reported attending at least one class
during the past year while "drunk," and 18 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 15 percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students

(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 9 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).
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."

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•Scurry-Rosser ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (30 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. 2 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Scurry-Rosser ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-seven percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-one percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD
students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-one percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Twenty-nine percent of SRISD students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of district
students (7 percent statewide), while 24 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of SRISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent). Ten*
percent of district 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
by 4 percent of district students (2 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of Scurry-Rosser
students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by their peers statewide (5 percent).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Scurry-Rosser
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in

2 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.

3 Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

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1992. Overall, Scurry-Rosser ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those
reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-five percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD
students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Scurry-Rosser students are wine coolers (57
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (56 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty percent of
SRISD students said they drink wine coolers on a weekly or monthly basis (34 percent
statewide). Thirty percent of district students said they drink beer weekly or monthly, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (37 percent).

"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 40
percent of SRISD students (41 percent statewide). Twenty-five percent of district students said
they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (19 percent). Thirty-eight percent
of Scurry-Rosser ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year
(39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on
average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Eighteen percent of SRISD 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. Seventy-five percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 37 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 7 percent of SRISD students (10 percent
statewide).

Forty percent of Scurry-Rosser students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-one percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 17 percent of SRISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).

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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 SRISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (41 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven 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, 80 percent of Scurry-Rosser
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven 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).

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

Fifteen percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students said they
had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of SRISD 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 SRISD 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 Scurry-Rosser students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said
they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6
percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said
they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling substances

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 "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig.
7).

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 Scurry-Rosser ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 15 percent of SRISD 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.
Scurry-Rosser students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 3.3
times during their lifetimes.

Twenty percent of SRISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD students (12 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Six percent of SRISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Scurry-Rosser ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-four percent of SRISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide). Ten* percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported most or all of their close
friends use marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (17
percent). Four 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). Seventeen percent of the
Scurry-Rosser ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of
the parties they attended during the school year, the same rate reported by their peers statewide.

Fewer Scurry-Rosser 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 (12 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, 28 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, Scurry-Rosser students reported a
disapproval rate of 91 percent (87 percent statewide). Six 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 Scurry-Rosser ISD students (9
percent/7 percent statewide). Five percent of SRISD 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), 2 percent said they had used steroids (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
Scurry-Rosser ISD, there were no significant differences by gender among SRISD 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. SRISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant or a downer, more than two times more likely to
have smoked marijuana, and more than three times more likely to have used hallucinogens than
were those district students living in homes with two parents. On the other hand, SRISD
students living in two-parent homes were the only reported users of crack in the district. There
were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Scurry-Rosser ISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, powdered cocaine, uppers, steroids, or
ecstasy.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Scurry-Rosser students said they would seek help from their friends (78
percent/74 percent statewide). Sixty-two percent of SRISD students said they would seek help
from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 60 percent said they would turn to
their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another
adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (30 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since
school began in the Fall, 3 percent of Scurry-Rosser students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-two percent of Scurry-Rosser 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 59 percent of district students as a source for information

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about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide). Fifty-nine* percent of Scurry-Rosser said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (46 percent). Twenty-eight* percent of SRISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate lower than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety percent of Scurry-Rosser students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy percent of SRISD students believe that inhalant use
is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(77 percent). Seventy percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous"
(67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 43 percent of SRISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide). Twenty-nine* percent of district students believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41 percent statewide) (Fig.
13).