TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MOUNT PLEASANT 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 Mount Pleasant Independent School District (MPISD). A
total of 1387 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 90 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 1297.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 30* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Twelve* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 4* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-four percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had used alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 39 percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students reported attending at least one class
during the past year while "drunk," and 20* percent of district 9th through 12th

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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 grade 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 18 percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students
(Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty* percent of Mount Pleasant 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).

•Mount Pleasant ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (31 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 Mount Pleasant ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty* percent of Mount Pleasant students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was highest among
district 11th graders (72* percent/61 percent statewide) and Mount Pleasant 12th graders (74*
percent/63 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by 11th and 12th graders
statewide. The lowest rate of lifetime use of a tobacco product was reported by MPISD 7th
graders (43 percent/40 percent statewide).

Thirty* percent of Mount Pleasant 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 highest among MPISD 11th grade students (39* percent/27 percent statewide) and
Mount Pleasant 12th grade students (44* percent/31 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their 11th and 12th grade peers statewide. The lowest rate of past-month use of a
tobacco product was reported by district 7th graders (18 percent/16 percent statewide).

Fifty-seven* percent of Mount Pleasant students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 28* percent said they had smoked cigarettes
during the past month (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by
students statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 12* percent of district
students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was highest among Mount Pleasant ISD 12th
graders (23* percent), a rate higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (12 percent).

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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Fourteen* percent of district 9th grade students reported daily cigarette use, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (7 percent). Twenty-four* percent of
MPISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of MPISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Ten* percent of
Mount Pleasant students 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 4*
percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 10* 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 Mount Pleasant
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992.
Overall, Mount Pleasant ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by
their peers statewide.

Seventy-four percent of Mount Pleasant students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol
use was lowest among MPISD 7th graders (58 percent/58 percent statewide). Eighty-seven
percent of district 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol use (86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-nine percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was lowest among MPISD
7th graders (22 percent/24 percent statewide) and highest among district 12th graders (56
percent/52 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Mount Pleasant students are beer (62
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (60 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty percent
of MPISD 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 Mount Pleasant ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 26*
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 40 percent of
MPISD students (41 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more
wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Mount Pleasant students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while intoxicated

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ranged from 6 percent among MPISD 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 12 percent among
district 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Twenty* percent of MPISD 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 rate of driving while intoxicated was reported by Mount Pleasant 12th graders (30
percent/26 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past
year was reported by 6 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 Mount Pleasant ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers,
or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, the same rate reported by students
statewide. Forty-two percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink
alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 45* 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 MPISD
students (10 percent statewide).

Forty-two percent of Mount Pleasant students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at
most or all parties was reported by MPISD 12th graders (68 percent/62 percent statewide) (Figs.
12a and 12b). Forty-five percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where
they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 19 percent of
MPISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent
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 MPISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (29 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-eight 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 27 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, 76 percent of Mount Pleasant
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 12 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, Mount Pleasant ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Mount Pleasant students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime inhalant use ranged from 12
percent among district 12th grade students (15 percent statewide) to 23 percent among MPISD
8th grade students (24 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month
(5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month inhalant use ranged from 1 percent
among district 12th grade students (2 percent statewide) to 9 percent among MPISD 8th grade
students (8 percent statewide). Eight* percent of district 8th graders reported past-month
inhalant use, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 8th graders statewide (7 percent)
(Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of MPISD 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). Eleven percent of MPISD 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 Mount Pleasant students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported
inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 5
percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 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. 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.

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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In the Mount Pleasant ISD, 22* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 14* percent of MPISD students said they
had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by students 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. Mount Pleasant students reported average usage rates of 1.1 times in
the past month and 3.0 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty* percent of MPISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). The rates of lifetime marijuana use ranged from 7 percent
among Mount Pleasant 7th graders (13 percent statewide) to 27 percent among district 12th
graders (34 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. Twenty* percent of MPISD 9th grade students reported smoking marijuana at least
once during their lifetimes, compared to 28 percent of 9th grade students statewide (Figs. 5a
and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students (12
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of past-month marijuana use ranged from 3 percent
among Mount Pleasant 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 14 percent among MPISD 12th
graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of MPISD 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 3 percent among Mount Pleasant 7th graders (6 percent statewide) to 8 percent among
district 9th graders (12 percent statewide). Five* percent of MPISD 10th grade students
reported attending at least one class in the past year while "stoned" on marijuana, a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by 10th grade students statewide (11 percent) (Figs. 10a and
10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8
percent of Mount Pleasant ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving
under the influence of drugs was reported by 11 percent of MPISD 12th graders (12 percent
statewide).

Forty-two* percent of MPISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 9* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students 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).

Fourteen* percent of the Mount Pleasant 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). The highest reported use of marijuana and/or other drugs at most or all parties was
among district 10th graders (22 percent/23 percent statewide) and Mount Pleasant 12th graders
(22 percent/24 percent statewide). Six* percent of district 8th graders (12 percent statewide)

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and 16* percent of MPISD 11th graders (25 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
somewhat lower than those reported by 8th and 11th graders statewide.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Mount Pleasant students reported a
disapproval rate of 90* percent (87 percent statewide). Seven 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).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Mount Pleasant ISD students. Seven
percent of MPISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent
statewide), 3* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent
reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent
statewide), and 1 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
Mount Pleasant ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used an inhalant and
nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were district female students.
There were no other significant differences by gender among MPISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco products, 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. MPISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Mount Pleasant ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or
other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Mount Pleasant students said they would seek help from their friends (76
percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-six percent of MPISD students said they would seek help
from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 54 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 (31 percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or
program in school (33 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
4* percent of Mount Pleasant students reported seeking help for any problems connected with
alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

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Seventy-six percent of Mount Pleasant 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 59* percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (53 percent). Forty-three percent of MPISD students said "an invited school guest"
was a source of information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide), and 43 percent
reported getting this information 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-two percent of Mount Pleasant students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of MPISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-three* percent of district
students believe that marijuana use is "very dangerous," compared to 67 percent of students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 46
percent of MPISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol, the same rate reported
by students statewide. Only 33* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students believe that tobacco
use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (41 percent) (Fig.
13).