TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PLANO ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Plano Independent School District (PISD). A total of 1496
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 88 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 1408.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-one* percent of Plano ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Sixty-eight* percent of Plano 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).

•Eighteen percent of Plano ISD 10th and 12th grade students said they had driven a car
at least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink" (Fig. 11).

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

•Twenty-six* percent of Plano ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 13* percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Plano ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (82* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (23* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general
use of tobacco products among Plano ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-one* percent of Plano students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 58 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use
was reported by 39* percent of district 8th graders (52 percent statewide) and 52* percent of
Plano 10th graders (60 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by 8th and 10th
graders statewide. Sixty-four percent of PISD 12th graders said they had used a tobacco
product at least once during their lifetimes (63 percent statewide).

Twenty-five percent of Plano ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month (28 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 14*
percent of PISD 8th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 8th grade students
statewide (23 percent). Twenty-six percent of Plano 10th grade students (30 percent statewide)
and 38 percent of district 12th grade students (34 percent statewide) said they had used a
tobacco product during the past month.

Forty-nine* percent of Plano students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (56 percent). Twenty-
three percent of district students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (26
percent statewide), while 11 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (9 percent
statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 3 percent of Plano 8th graders (5 percent
statewide) and 11 percent of PISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide). Twenty* percent of
district 12th grade students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, a rate higher than that
reported by 12th grade students statewide (14 percent). Twenty-one percent of Plano students
said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide).
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 the Spring of 1996.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 15* percent of PISD students (18
percent statewide), while 3* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 1* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 3* 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 Plano ISD.
Alcohol use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that
reported two years ago. Overall, Plano ISD students, especially those in grades 8 and 10, are
drinking alcohol at rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-eight* percent of Plano students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 76 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol consumption
was reported by 55* percent of district 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 8th
graders statewide (68 percent). Seventy-two* percent of Plano 10th grade students reported
lifetime alcohol use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their 10th grade counterparts
statewide (79 percent). Eighty-three percent of PISD 12th graders said they had consumed
alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (85 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five* percent of Plano ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 40 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was
reported by 21* percent of PISD 8th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 8th grade
students statewide (32 percent). Thirty-nine percent of Plano 10th grade students (42 percent
statewide) and 50 percent of district 12th grade students (51 percent statewide) said they had
consumed alcohol during the past month (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Plano students are beer (54* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (53* percent/62 percent statewide). Twenty-nine* percent
of PISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (35 percent statewide), and
26* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (32 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-three* percent of Plano ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 16* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent
statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Lifetime "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 31* percent of PISD students (41 percent statewide),
while 11* percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.

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Seven* percent of Plano 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 PISD 8th graders, compared to 9 percent of 8th graders statewide. Eight percent of
district 10th graders (10 percent statewide) and 9 percent of Plano 12th graders (10 percent
statewide) reported attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (Figs.
9a and 9b).

Eighteen percent of PISD 10th and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after
having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (18 percent statewide). Driving
while intoxicated at least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent of district 10th
grade students (12 percent statewide) and 29 percent of Plano 12th grade students (26 percent
statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 5
percent of district 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Eighty-three* percent of Plano ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (79 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 34*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (42 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 9 percent of
PISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-three* percent of Plano students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, compared to 41 percent of students statewide. Alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by 11* percent of PISD 8th graders (21 percent statewide) and
35* percent of district 10th graders (48 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by
8th and 10th graders statewide. Sixty percent of Plano 12th graders said alcohol was used at
most or all of the parties they attended in the past school year (61 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).
Thirty-four* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain
alcohol most of the time or always (46 percent statewide), while 13* percent of PISD students
said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (19 percent statewide), rates
lower than those reported by their peers 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 PISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/27 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (42 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-three percent of the Plano 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 (27
percent statewide).

4
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, 81* percent of Plano students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
students statewide (76 percent). Four* percent of district students said they "don't know" how
their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8 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. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has stayed about the same.
Overall, Plano ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by
students statewide.

Twenty-two* percent of Plano students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 24 percent of
district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 23 percent of Plano 10th graders (18 percent
statewide). Twenty* percent of PISD 12th graders said they had used an inhalant at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (14 percent)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Plano ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 4* percent of PISD 8th grade
students, compared to 7 percent of 8th grade students statewide. Five percent of Plano 10th
grade students (4 percent statewide) and 2 percent of district 12th grade students (2 percent
statewide) said they had used an inhalant during the past month (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of PISD 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). Thirteen percent of PISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (11 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Plano students was correction fluid/Liquid Paper
(12* percent/9 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling substances
in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (5
percent statewide), 5 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they

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.

5
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7a and 7b).

Fewer Plano ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used inhalants
during the past month (2 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who said they
had missed four or more days of school (5 percent/5 percent statewide). Two percent of district
students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants within the
past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 13 percent of district students who had gotten
into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during the past 30
days (10 percent statewide).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered form
and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has
increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased
among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders statewide over the last two years.

In the Plano ISD, 29* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (36 percent statewide), while 22* percent of PISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (27 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit
drugs reported using them an average of 2.4 times in the past 30 days and 7.0 times during their
lives. Plano students reported average usage rates of 2.2 times in the past month and 7.7 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-six* percent of PISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (33 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use
of marijuana was reported by 12* percent of district 8th graders (26 percent statewide) and 28*
percent of Plano 10th graders (36 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by 8th and
10th graders statewide. Forty-two percent of PISD 12th graders said they had smoked
marijuana at least once during their lifetimes (41 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13* percent of Plano ISD students (17 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 6* percent of PISD 8th grade
students, less than half the rate reported by 8th grade students statewide (14 percent). Fourteen
percent of Plano 10th grade students (18 percent statewide) and 20 percent of district 12th grade
students (19 percent statewide) said they had smoked marijuana during the past month (Figs. 6a
and 6b).

Nine* percent of PISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 13 percent of students statewide. Attending class while
stoned was reported by 4* percent of Plano ISD 8th graders (11 percent statewide) and 9*

6
percent of district 10th graders (14 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by 8th
and 10th graders statewide. Fourteen percent of PISD 12th graders reported attending at least
one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 15
percent of Plano ISD 10th and 12th grade students (13 percent statewide). Driving while under
the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 9 percent of district 10th
grade students (10 percent statewide) and 22 percent of Plano 12th grade students (17 percent
statewide).

Fifty-one* percent of PISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (56
percent statewide), and 17* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (22
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. Six percent
of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (7 percent statewide).

Twenty-one* percent of the Plano ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (25 percent statewide). The use
of marijuana and or other drugs at most or all parties was reported by 7* percent of PISD 8th
graders, less than half the rate reported by 8th graders statewide (15 percent). Twenty-four
percent of district 10th graders (29 percent statewide) and 34 percent of Plano 12th graders (33
percent statewide) said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties
they attended during the school year.

Fewer Plano ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used marijuana
during the past month (6 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who said they
had missed four or more days of school (17 percent/20 percent statewide). Five percent of Plano
students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the
past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 38 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 (39 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Plano students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Three* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent
statewide), while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Plano ISD students. 12* percent of PISD
students reported using uppers (9 percent statewide), 12* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 9* percent reported using ecstasy (6 percent statewide), 8*
percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 7 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

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CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Plano ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a steroid
than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among
PISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, 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. PISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product, inhalants, marijuana, or downers, nearly
twice as likely to have used hallucinogens or uppers, and over two times more likely to have used
powdered cocaine or ecstasy than were those district students living in homes with two parents.
There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Plano ISD students with
regard to the use of alcohol, crack, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Plano students said they would seek help from their friends (82* percent), a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (76 percent). Fifty-seven percent of PISD
students said they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide), and 55 percent said they
would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide). District students are
least likely to seek help from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (23* percent/31
percent statewide), or a counselor or program in school (26* percent/33 percent statewide); rates
lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4*
percent of Plano students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug
use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy-three percent of Plano ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (73 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 46 percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 42 percent reported getting information
about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (43 percent statewide), and 38 percent said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Plano students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (89 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-one* percent of PISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (77
percent). Fifty-eight percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous"
(58 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 39 percent of PISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (43 percent
statewide), while 34 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (36 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13).