TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ALBA-GOLDEN ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, 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 284 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 9 surveys were excluded from analysis because the 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 275.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 41* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Twelve percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 14* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-five percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 41 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 28* percent of district 9th through 12th grade

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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 students 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 Alba-Golden ISD students

(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 9 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 (74 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (34
percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Alba-Golden ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Seventy* percent of Alba-Golden students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 63* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 75* percent of
AGISD 9th through 12th graders (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
students statewide.

Forty-one* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general
tobacco use was reported by 29 percent of AGISD 7th and 8th grade students, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (20 percent). Forty-eight*
percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported using a tobacco product during the
past month, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (27
percent).

Sixty-two* percent of Alba-Golden students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 30* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during
the past month (24 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 12 percent of district students (7
percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 5 percent of Alba-Golden 7th and
8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 16 percent of district 9th through 12th grade

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 1994.

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students (9 percent statewide). Twenty-one percent of AGISD students said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes (18 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 45* percent of AGISD students
(16 percent statewide), while 24* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product
during the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 14* percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 24* percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (15 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by their peers
statewide.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Alba-Golden
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in
1992. Overall, Alba-Golden ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported
by their peers statewide.

Seventy-five percent of Alba-Golden students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 65 percent
of AGISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 81 percent of district 9th through 12th
graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-one percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 31 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 46 percent of AGISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Alba-Golden students are beer (64 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-one percent of
AGISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
33 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-two percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (39 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of
district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink,
a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (20 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 42 percent of AGISD students (41 percent
statewide), while 23 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Alba-Golden students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was

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reported by 4 percent of AGISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 13 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Twenty-eight* 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 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 8 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-six 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-nine percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 41 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). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 19 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 53 percent of
AGISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-two percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide). Twelve* percent of AGISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (21 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 AGISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (38 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (47 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven 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 28 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, 75 percent of Alba-Golden
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 15 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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Inhalants4

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Alba-Golden ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to 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). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 24 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide). Twenty-four percent of AGISD 9th through
12th graders said they had used inhalants at least once during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Alba-Golden ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was reported by 7 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 5 percent of AGISD 9th through 12th grade
students (4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of AGISD 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). Nineteen* 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 substances most frequently used by Alba-Golden students were correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (18* percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (15* percent/6 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Ten percent of AGISD
students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 10 percent reported inhaling
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 10 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6
percent statewide), and 9 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category
(8 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Fewer Alba-Golden 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 (8 percent/6 percent statewide). One 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, 19 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 (11 percent statewide).

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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Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Alba-Golden ISD, 22 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), rates somewhat lower
than those reported by their peers 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 0.8 times in the past month and 3.8
times during their lifetimes.

Eighteen* 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).
Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Alba-Golden 7th and 8th grade students
(17 percent statewide). Twenty-two percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported
smoking marijuana at least once during their lifetimes, compared to 31 percent of 9th through
12th grade students statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Alba-Golden ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 10 percent of AGISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Four* percent of AGISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 1*
percent of Alba-Golden 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 5 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by
students statewide (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past
year was reported by 10 percent of Alba-Golden ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent
statewide).

Thirty-seven* percent of AGISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(38 percent statewide). Seven* percent of Alba-Golden ISD students reported most or all of
their close friends use marijuana, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(17 percent). Four 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).

Seven* percent of the 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, a rate lower than that
reported by students statewide (17 percent). Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all

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parties was reported by 5 percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide).
Nine* percent of AGISD 9th through 12th grade students reported marijuana and/or other drug
use at most or all parties, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (22
percent).

Fewer Alba-Golden ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (12 percent/15 percent statewide). One
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, 25 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, Alba-Golden students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (87 percent statewide). Five 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 said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

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), 4 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 1 percent reported using crack (2
percent statewide), 1 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 1 percent
reported using ecstasy (3 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 somewhat more likely to report tobacco use than were
district female students. AGISD female students, however, were somewhat more likely to
report the use of uppers than were district male students. There were no other significant
differences by gender among AGISD 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. AGISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to report the use of downers, nearly twice as likely to report the use of
uppers, and more than twice as likely to report the use of 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 tobacco, alcohol,
inhalants, or 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 Alba-Golden students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty percent of AGISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 51 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (34
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 2* 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-six* 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, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 78*
percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent
statewide), while 69* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information
(46 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Forty percent of
AGISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46
percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-four percent of Alba-Golden students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 92 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty* percent of district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (67 percent). Seventy-seven percent of AGISD students believe that inhalant use is
"very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 45 percent of AGISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty-four* percent of Alba-Golden students believe that
tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41
percent) (Fig. 13).