TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LAVERNIA 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 LaVernia Independent School District (LISD). A total of 385
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 19 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 386.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-nine percent of LaVernia ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Seventy-seven percent of LaVernia ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 48* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-three* percent of LaVernia 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.

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•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 16 percent of LaVernia ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four* percent of LaVernia ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 12 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•LaVernia ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (25* 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 LaVernia ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, is somewhat
higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-nine percent of LaVernia students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-three* percent of LaVernia ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month, compared to 26 percent of students
statewide (Fig. 2).

Fifty-four percent of LaVernia students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), 28 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), and 9 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide). Twenty-six percent of district students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29* percent of LISD students (16
percent statewide), while 13* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and 4 reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis (1 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Eight percent
of district students said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent
statewide).

Alcohol

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.

4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the LaVernia ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, LaVernia ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat higher than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-seven percent of LaVernia students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-eight* percent of LaVernia ISD students
said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, in contrast to the 38 percent reported by
students statewide (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by LaVernia students are beer (66* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (69* percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-four* percent of
LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 42*
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide), rates higher 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. LISD students are "binge drinking" beer and, to a larger extent,
wine coolers at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.
Forty-four percent of LaVernia ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during
their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 22 percent said they usually drink five or more beers
at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine
coolers was reported by 49* percent of LISD students (40 percent statewide), while 23 percent
said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18
percent statewide).

Ten percent of LaVernia students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-three* percent of LISD 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, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (15 percent). Driving 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 LaVernia ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Forty-four 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 10 percent of LISD students (9 percent statewide).

Forty-eight* percent of LaVernia students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (37
percent) (Fig. 13). Fifty percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where
they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (43 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of LISD

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students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, compared to 17
percent of students 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 LISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (38* percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (58* percent/44 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Sixty-seven percent of the
LaVernia 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 38*
percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of
conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (25 percent).

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, 73 percent of LaVernia students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide), and 15 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide) . Five* percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

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

Sixteen percent of LaVernia students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Five percent of LaVernia ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of LISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Ten percent of LISD students said they had used
two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by LaVernia students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/9 percent statewide) and those in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent/8

5
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
percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7
percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they
had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
sprays" category (4 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5
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. 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 LaVernia ISD, 29 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of LISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times, compared to 25 percent of students 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. LaVernia students reported average
usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 4.6 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-four* percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of LaVernia ISD students (16 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

Seven* percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (13 percent) (Fig. 10).
Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8 percent
of LaVernia ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine* percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 13* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates 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 (6 percent statewide). Sixteen* percent of the LaVernia ISD students said that
marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the
school year, in contrast to the 23 percent reported by students statewide.

Fewer LaVernia 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 (13 percent/20 percent statewide). Four
percent of LaVernia students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 40 percent of district

5
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, LaVernia students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 percent (85 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 4 percent also said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a smaller number of LaVernia ISD students. Ten percent of
LISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (6
percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 5 percent
reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7
percent statewide), 2 percent reported using crack (3 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 somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the LaVernia ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco
products than were district female students. On the other hand, LaVernia female students were
nearly twice as likely to have used uppers or downers than were their male counterparts in the
district. There were no other significant differences by gender among LISD students with regard
to the use of 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. LISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product or smoked marijuana, nearly twice as
likely to have used uppers, and over two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than
were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant
differences by living arrangement among LaVernia ISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of LaVernia students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-two percent of LISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 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 (25* percent/32 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in
the Fall, 4 percent of LaVernia 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 LaVernia ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). Fifty-six

6
percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about
drugs and alcohol (38 percent statewide), while 52* percent said "an assembly program" was a
source for this information (44 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. Thirty-eight* percent of LISD 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. Eighty-six percent of LaVernia students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of LISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 67 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Only 40 percent of LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide), while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).