TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PORT ARTHUR 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 7 through 12 in the Port Arthur Independent School District (PAISD). A total of 2191
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 170 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 2021.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine* percent of Port Arthur ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 28 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Nine percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, but
none reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Eighty* percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 40 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Thirteen percent of Port Arthur ISD 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"
(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.

1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 20 percent of Port Arthur ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

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

•Port Arthur ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (65* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
in school (29* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Port Arthur ISD students, especially with regard to cigarettes, is somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide.

Fifty-nine* percent of Port Arthur students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was reported by 54*
percent of district 7th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 7th graders statewide (41
percent). Sixty-four percent of PAISD 10th grade students reported lifetime use of a tobacco
product (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-eight percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was highest
among PAISD 11th grade students (22* percent), a rate lower than that reported by their 11th
grade peers statewide (31 percent). Twenty-five* percent of Port Arthur 7th graders reported
using a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by 7th graders
statewide. Past-month use of a tobacco product was reported by 31 percent of district 10th
grade students (30 percent statewide).

Fifty-eight* percent of Port Arthur students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (53 percent). Twenty-
seven percent of PAISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (25
percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of district
students (8 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 7* percent of Port Arthur
ISD 7th graders, over twice the rate reported by 7th graders statewide (3 percent). Twenty-
four* percent of PAISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21
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 12* percent of PAISD students (16
percent statewide), while 4* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide). None of the district students reported using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis (1 percent statewide), while 4 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 Port Arthur ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago.

Eighty* percent of Port Arthur students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (74 percent)
(Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 69* percent of PAISD 7th graders (56 percent
statewide), 77* percent of Port Arthur 8th graders (68* percent statewide), and 82* percent of
district 9th graders (76 percent statewide); rates higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, a rate similar to that reported by their peers statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2). The rates of
past-month alcohol use ranged from 29 percent among PAISD 7th graders (23 percent
statewide) to 49 percent among district 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Port Arthur students are wine coolers (66*
percent/58 percent statewide) and beer (59 percent/56 percent statewide). Thirty-seven* percent
of PAISD students said they drink wine coolers on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (31 percent). Thirty-five percent of district
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent 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 42
percent of PAISD students (40 percent statewide), while 15* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide). Thirty-six
percent of Port Arthur ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their
lifetimes (37 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district students said they usually drink five
or more beers at a time on average when they drink, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
their peers statewide (19 percent).

Eleven percent of Port Arthur students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Thirteen percent of PAISD
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 was reported
by 12* percent of Port Arthur 11th graders, nearly half the rate reported by 11th graders

3
statewide (20 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 3 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-seven percent of Port Arthur ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty* percent of district students
reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 40 percent
responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always
(39 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was
reported by 6* percent of PAISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-two* percent of Port Arthur students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, compared to 37 percent of students statewide. The highest
rate of alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by 40* percent of PAISD 10th graders (48
percent statewide), 42* percent of district 11th graders (55 percent statewide), and 47* percent
of Port Arthur ISD 12th graders (61 percent statewide); rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide (Figs. 13a and 13b). Forty-three percent of district students responded "at
parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide).
Twenty-two* percent of PAISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time
or always, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent).

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 PAISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/44 percent
statewide). Sixty percent of Port Arthur ISD students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 25 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
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, 69* percent of Port Arthur
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (76 percent). Twelve* percent of district students said they "don't
know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 12
percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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.

4
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 students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Port Arthur ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty percent of Port Arthur students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 11
percent among district 11th grade students (16 percent statewide) to 26 percent among PAISD
7th grade students (22 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of PAISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Twelve percent of
PAISD 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 Port Arthur students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (13* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (9
percent). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants"
category (8 percent statewide), 7* percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 7
percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had
inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 5* 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. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the Port Arthur ISD, 42* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 31* percent of PAISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives.
Port Arthur students reported average usage rates of 3.1 times in the past month and 6.7 times
during their lifetimes.

Forty-one* percent of PAISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use

5
was reported by 34* percent of Port Arthur 8th graders (26 percent statewide), 48* percent of
PAISD 9th graders (35 percent statewide), and 51* percent of district 10th graders (36 percent
statewide); rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 25* percent of Port Arthur ISD students, compared
to 16 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use ranged from
15* percent among district 7th graders (9 percent statewide) to 34* percent among PAISD 10th
graders (18 percent statewide), nearly double the rates reported by 7th and 10th graders
statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Twenty-one* percent of PAISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year
while "stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide). The rates of class attendance while stoned
ranged from 14* percent among Port Arthur 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 28 percent
among district 10th graders (14 percent statewide), twice the rates reported by 7th and 10th
graders statewide (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 13
percent of Port Arthur ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide). Driving
under the influence of drugs was highest among PAISD 12th graders (18 percent/17 percent
statewide).

Sixty-two* percent of PAISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 33* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Five percent of
district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of
their own drug use (6 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of the Port Arthur 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 23 percent of
students statewide. The use of marijuana and/or other drugs at most or all parties was highest
among district 10th graders (40* percent/29 percent statewide) and PAISD 12th graders (44*
percent/33 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 10th and 12th graders
statewide.

Fewer Port Arthur ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (18* percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (30* percent/20 percent statewide). Ten*
percent of PAISD students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 45* 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Port Arthur students reported a
disapproval rate of 78* percent, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(85 percent). Eleven* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel

6
about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide), while 5 percent said their parents
neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Port Arthur ISD students. Five* percent of
PAISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 5* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 3*
percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), and 3* percent reported
using ecstasy (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Port Arthur ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used
powdered cocaine or hallucinogens and nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among PAISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco products, 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. There were no significant differences by living
arrangement among Port Arthur ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products,
alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Port Arthur students said they would seek help from their friends (65* percent), a rate lower
than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-six percent of PAISD students said
they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 53 percent said
they would turn to their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek
help for a drug or alcohol problem from a counselor or program in school (29* percent/35
percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of Port Arthur students
reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other
than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-two* percent of Port Arthur ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 48 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" (46 percent statewide), and 41 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 Port Arthur students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy* percent of PAISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide). Forty-nine* percent of district students believe

7
that marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (60 percent). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower.
Only 40 percent of PAISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44 percent
statewide), while 43* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13).