TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ALLEN 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 Allen Independent School District (AISD). A total of
2217 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 155 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 2062.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty* percent of Allen ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 29* percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).2

•Eleven* percent of AISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 2
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-three* percent of Allen 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).

•Nine percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 17 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students said

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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 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 23* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-four percent of AISD 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).

•Allen ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (84* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (25* percent) (Fig. 18).

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 Allen ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty* percent of Allen students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes
(55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was highest among district 12th
graders (66 percent/63 percent statewide). Lifetime tobacco use was lowest among AISD 7th
graders (27* percent), a rate lower than that reported by their 7th grade peers statewide (40
percent).

Twenty-nine* percent of Allen ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was lowest among
AISD 7th grade students (13 percent/16 percent statewide). Past-month general tobacco use
was highest among Allen 12th graders (39 percent/31 percent statewide) and district 10th
graders (36* percent/27 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Forty-seven* percent of Allen students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 27* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 11*
percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Allen
ISD 12th graders (16 percent/12 percent statewide), district 11th graders (16* percent/10
percent statewide), and AISD 10th graders (15 percent/10 percent statewide). Twenty-four*
percent of AISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent
statewide).

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Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 21* percent of AISD students (17
percent statewide), while 8* percent 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 2 percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 6 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 Allen ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Allen ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Sixty-three* percent of Allen students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
lowest among AISD 7th graders (39* percent), a rate lower than that reported by 7th graders
statewide (58 percent statewide). Prevalence of alcohol consumption steadily increased through
the upper grade levels at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide, and
peaked among district 12th graders (83 percent/86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-five* percent of Allen ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among AISD 7th graders
(13* percent), a rate lower than that reported by their 7th grade counterparts statewide (24
percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of district 9th graders said they had consumed alcohol
during the past month, compared to 41 percent of 9th graders statewide. Past-month alcohol
use was highest among district 12th graders (52 percent/52 percent statewide) and AISD 11th
graders (49 percent/48 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Allen students are beer (54* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (53* percent/61 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by students statewide. Thirty-four* percent of AISD students said they
drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of
district students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by students statewide (34 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-five* percent of Allen ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 19 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 34* percent of AISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 15* percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

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Nine percent of Allen students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was highest among
AISD 12th graders (18* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their 12th grade
peers statewide (10 percent statewide). Five percent of district 7th graders reported attending
at least one class during the past school year while "drunk" (7 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and
9b).

Seventeen percent of AISD 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). The
highest rates of driving while intoxicated were reported by Allen 12th graders (29 percent/26
percent statewide) and AISD 11th graders (25 percent/20 percent statewide). 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. Eighty-four* percent of Allen ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
students statewide (77 percent). Thirty-six* 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 10 percent of AISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of Allen students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rates of alcohol use at most
or all parties were reported by AISD 12th graders (63 percent/62 percent statewide) and Allen
11th graders (62 percent/57 percent statewide) (Figs. 12a and 12b). Thirty-six* percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (44 percent statewide), while 14* percent of AISD 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.

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 AISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (20* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (37* percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-two 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, 83* percent of Allen students

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said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
students statewide (75 percent). Four* percent of district students said they "don't know" how
their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, compared to 10 percent of their peers
statewide. Ten percent of AISD students said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

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

Twenty-three* percent of Allen students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 8th
grade students (29 percent/24 percent statewide). Twenty-three* percent of AISD 11th grade
students said they had used inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by their 11th grade peers statewide (14 percent). Lifetime inhalant use was
reported by 20 percent of Allen 10th grade students (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Allen ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month, the same
rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was lowest among district
12th grade students (1 percent/2 percent statewide). Five* percent of AISD 11th graders said
they had used inhalants during the past month (2 percent statewide). Past-month inhalant use
was reported by 8 percent of district 8th graders (8 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of AISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 5* percent said they had attended at least one class during the past
school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of AISD
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 Allen students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (12* percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 8* percent reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 7* percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide)
at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Illicit Drugs

3 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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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 Allen ISD, 28 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 22* percent of AISD 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. Allen students reported average usage rates of 1.9 times in the past
month and 5.4 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-four percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was lowest among Allen 7th graders
(7* percent), a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their 7th grade peers statewide (13
percent). Thirty-nine percent of district 11th graders said they had used marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes, compared to 32 percent of 11th graders statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 13 percent of Allen ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was lowest among Allen 7th graders (4 percent/6
percent). Nineteen percent of district 12th graders (14 percent statewide) and 19 percent of
AISD 11th graders (14 percent statewide) reported past-month marijuana use (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eight percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while stoned ranged
from 4 percent of Allen 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 12 percent of district 12th graders
(9 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 12* percent of Allen ISD 9th through 12th grade students
(8 percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs was reported by 19* percent of
AISD 11th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their 11th grade counterparts
statewide (10 percent).

Fifty-eight* percent of AISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain,
compared to 48 percent of students statewide. Seventeen percent of district students reported
most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent statewide), and 7* percent said they
had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5
percent statewide).

Twenty-six* percent of the Allen ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide (17 percent). The highest reported use of marijuana and/or
other drugs at most or all parties was among district 11th graders (44* percent), a rate higher
than that reported by their 11th grade peers statewide (25 percent). Thirty-nine percent of Allen
12th graders (24 percent statewide), 39* percent of district 10th graders (23 percent statewide),

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and 29* percent of AISD 9th graders (19 percent statewide) said that marijuana and/or other
drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, rates higher
than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fewer Allen ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (6 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
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, 30 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Allen students reported a
disapproval rate of 92* percent (87 percent 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 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Hallucinogens are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Allen ISD students
(13* percent), a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (6 percent).
Reported use of hallucinogens was highest among district 11th graders (18 percent/8 percent
statewide) and AISD 10th graders (16 percent/8 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than
those reported by their counterparts statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Nine* percent of AISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent
statewide), 4* percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), and 3* percent reported
using crack (2 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
Allen ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco, inhalants,
marijuana, or hallucinogens than were district female students. There were no other significant
differences by gender among AISD students with regard to the use of 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. AISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, powdered cocaine,
hallucinogens, or uppers than were those district students living in homes with two parents.
There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Allen ISD students
with regard to other illegal drugs.

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When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Allen students said they would seek help from their friends (84* percent), a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (74 percent). Fifty-four percent of AISD
students said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), while
53 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/33
percent statewide), or a counselor or program in school (29* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig.
18). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Allen students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-four* percent of Allen 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 66* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (53 percent).
Forty-four percent of AISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from
a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while 43 percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for this information (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety percent of Allen students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 89 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-three* percent of AISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 64* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of AISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide). Thirty-four* percent of Allen ISD students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide
(41 percent) (Fig. 13).