TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ALBA-GOLDEN ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Alba-Golden Independent School District (AGISD). A
total of 249 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 9 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 240.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-three* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Nine percent of AGISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 12*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-six percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Five percent of AGISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 22 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: Alba
Golden ISD." 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 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 one 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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 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 24* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 7 percent (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of AGISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 6* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Alba-Golden ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (77 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (33
percent), or a counselor or program in school (34* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Alba-Golden ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-three* percent of Alba-Golden students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of their counterparts statewide (Fig. 1). 3 Thirty-four*
percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-six percent of Alba-Golden students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of AGISD students said they had
smoked cigarettes during the past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily
basis was reported by 9 percent of district students (7 percent statewide), while 17 percent said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 41* percent of AGISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent). Twenty-three* percent of
Alba-Golden students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, a
rate also higher than that reported by students statewide (6 percent). Using a smokeless tobacco
product on a daily basis was reported by 12* percent of district students (2 percent statewide),
while 28* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Alcohol

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

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Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Alba-Golden
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years
ago. Overall, Alba-Golden ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to those
reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-six percent of Alba-Golden students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-four percent of Alba-
Golden ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Alba-Golden students are beer (57 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-two percent of
AGISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide),
while 22* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Forty percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 22 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 37 percent of AGISD
students (41 percent statewide), and 16 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Five percent of Alba-Golden students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-two percent of AGISD 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 somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (15
percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 7*
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 Alba-Golden ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 40 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 9 percent of AGISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty percent of Alba-Golden students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-eight percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 13* percent of AGISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their counterparts 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 AGISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (23 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (43 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty 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, 24 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, 78 percent of Alba-Golden
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Five percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 14 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 students statewide decreased. Overall, Alba-Golden ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-four percent of Alba-Golden students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Seven percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they
had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of AGISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Twenty* percent of AGISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Alba-Golden students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper. Sixteen* percent of district students said they had inhaled correction
fluid/Liquid Paper, compared to 10 percent of students statewide. Fifteen* percent of district
students reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 13* percent said they had inhaled glue
(6 percent statewide), 11 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 10
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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percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 10 percent reported
inhaling substances 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. 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 Alba-Golden ISD, 21 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 13 percent of AGISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent 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. Alba-Golden students reported average usage rates of 1.0
times in the past month and 3.1 times during their lifetimes.

Sixteen* percent of AGISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 6* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students, a rate also
somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2).

Three* percent of AGISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (9
percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was
reported by 7 percent Alba-Golden ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of AGISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 2* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported statewide. Three 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). Four* percent of Alba-Golden 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Alba-Golden students reported a
disapproval rate of 95* percent, compared to 87 percent of students statewide. Three* percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using
marijuana (8 percent statewide), while 1 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 Alba-Golden ISD students (11
percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of AGISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), and 4
percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 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
Alba-Golden ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana and over
two times more likely to have used inhalants than were district female students. In addition,
AGISD males were the only reported users of crack or steroids. There were no other significant
differences by gender among district students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, 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. AGISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used tobacco, alcohol, or powdered cocaine, nearly two times
more likely to have used inhalants or uppers, nearly three times more likely to have used
downers, and over three times more likely to have used marijuana than were those district
students living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Alba-Golden ISD students with regard to the use of illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Alba-Golden students said they would seek help from their friends (77 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-five percent of AGISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical
doctor (33 percent/38 percent statewide) or a counselor or program outside of school (34*
percent/45 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 3 percent of Alba-
Golden students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-three percent of Alba-Golden 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 74* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 62* percent said "an invited school guest" (46 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Twenty-nine* percent of
AGISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Alba-Golden students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is

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"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of AGISD students believe
that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 76 percent believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of
alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 52 percent of AGISD students feel that it is "very
dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 31 percent believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).