TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SAN ELIZARIO 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 San Elizario Independent School District (SEISD). A total of 800
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 29 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 771.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Forty-nine* percent of San Elizario ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 18* percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Four* percent of San Elizario ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
but none reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-six percent of San Elizario ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 40 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen percent of San Elizario 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 14* percent of San Elizario ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 2* percent (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen* percent of San Elizario ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 7* percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•San Elizario ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (65* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
outside of school (46 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 San Elizario ISD students is lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Forty-nine* percent of San Elizario students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 39* percent
of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide
(47 percent). Fifty-six percent of SEISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime use of a
tobacco product (60 percent statewide).

Eighteen* percent of San Elizario ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, compared to 26 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco
use was reported by 11* percent of SEISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and
23* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (30 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Forty-eight* percent of San Elizario students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), while 18* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during
the past month (25 percent statewide), and 4* percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily
basis (8 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Daily use of
cigarettes was reported by 6* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students, nearly half the
rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (11 percent). Fourteen* percent of
SEISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, in contrast to the 21
percent reported by students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 11* percent of SEISD students (16
percent statewide), while 3* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), and none reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a
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.

2
daily basis (1 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students
statewide. Three* percent of district students 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 San Elizario ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, San Elizario ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to
those reported by students statewide.

Seventy-six percent of San Elizario students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 70* percent
of SEISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate higher than that reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide
(63 percent). Eighty percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol use
(80 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of San Elizario ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 31 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (28 percent statewide) and 46 percent of SEISD 9th through
12th grade students (43 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by San Elizario students are beer (60 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52* percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty-nine* percent of
SEISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide (33 percent). Thirty percent of district students said they
drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 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-three* percent of San Elizario ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 23 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 38 percent of SEISD
students (40 percent statewide), while 19 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Eight percent of San Elizario students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 7
percent of SEISD 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 10 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Fourteen percent of SEISD 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). Driving

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while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 2 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.
Sixty-three* percent of San Elizario ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (75
percent). Thirty-nine percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink
alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 38 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 6* percent of SEISD students (9
percent statewide).

Thirty-eight percent of San Elizario students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties
was reported by 25* percent of district 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by 7th and 8th graders statewide (17 percent). Forty-six percent of SEISD 9th through
12th graders said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school
year (49 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Fifty* percent of district students responded "at parties"
when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, compared to 43 percent of
students statewide. Eighteen percent of SEISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always (17 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 SEISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/44 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 (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 30 percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (25
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, 67* percent of San Elizario
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (76 percent). Nineteen* percent of district students said they "don't know" how
their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, more than double the rate reported by
students statewide (9 percent). Nine percent of SEISD students said their parents neither
approve nor disapprove of kids their age drinking beer (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4
4
Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants

4
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, San Elizario ISD
students are using inhalants at rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fourteen* percent of San Elizario students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 15* percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (23 percent statewide) and 13* percent of SEISD 9th through 12th
graders (18 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Figs. 5a
and 5b).

Two* percent of San Elizario ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of SEISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class
during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Seven* percent of
SEISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during
their lifetimes, nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by San Elizario students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (6* percent/9 percent statewide), liquid/spray paint (6 percent/7 percent statewide), and
those substances in the "other inhalants" category (5* percent/8 percent statewide). Four percent
of SEISD students said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 3* percent said they
had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 3* percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent
statewide), and 2 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 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. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among secondary students statewide has increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among secondary
students statewide over the last two years.

In the San Elizario ISD, 21* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 13* percent of SEISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported

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.

5
using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives. San
Elizario students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past month and 3.0 times
during their lifetimes.

Eighteen* percent of SEISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 14* percent of San Elizario 7th and 8th grade students (21 percent
statewide) and 20* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (37 percent statewide)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of San Elizario ISD students, less than half
the rate reported by students statewide (16 percent) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was
reported by 5* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (11 percent statewide) and 8* percent of
SEISD 9th through 12th graders (19 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Six* percent of SEISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, compared to 13 percent of students statewide. Attending class while
"stoned" was reported by 6 percent of San Elizario 7th and 8th graders (10 percent statewide)
and 6* percent of district 9th through 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving
under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 5* percent of San
Elizario ISD 9th through 12th grade students, less than half the rate reported by 9th through 12th
grade students statewide (12 percent).

Thirty-three* percent of SEISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 8* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.
Four 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).

Twelve* percent of the San Elizario 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. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties
was reported by 14* percent of SEISD 9th through 12th grade students, less than half the rate
reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (29 percent).

Fewer San Elizario ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (8 percent/20 percent statewide). Four percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using marijuana
within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 15 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, San Elizario students reported a
disapproval rate of 79* percent (85 percent statewide). Sixteen* percent of district students said

6
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana, twice the rate
reported by their peers statewide (8 percent). Three percent of SEISD students said their parents
neither approve nor disapprove of kids their age smoking marijuana (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of San Elizario ISD students at rates generally
lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Powdered cocaine is the next most
frequently used illicit substance among San Elizario ISD students (9 percent/7 percent
statewide). Three* percent of SEISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 3*
percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 2* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 2* percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 2
percent reported using crack (3 percent statewide), and 1 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 San Elizario ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked
marijuana and nearly two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were district
female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among SEISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, 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. SEISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana or used hallucinogens, nearly twice as likely to
have used powdered cocaine, and over two times more likely to have used uppers or downers
than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among San Elizario ISD students with regard to the
use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, crack, steroids, or ecstasy.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of San Elizario students said they would seek help from their friends (65* percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty-four* percent of district students said they would turn to their parents for help
with a drug or alcohol problem, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(54 percent). Fifty-nine percent of SEISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (58 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug
or alcohol problem from a counselor or program outside of school (46 percent/42 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 12* percent of San Elizario students
reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other
than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-five* percent of San Elizario ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, in contrast to the 75 percent
reported by students statewide. Fifty-six* percent of district students said "an invited school

7
guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by
students statewide (38 percent). Fifty-one percent of SEISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), and 42 percent
said "an assembly program" was a source for this information (44 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-six percent of San Elizario students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 83 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-nine percent of SEISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 76* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of tobacco and alcohol use is lower. Fifty* percent
of San Elizario students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," compared to 39 percent of
students statewide. Forty-six percent of SEISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).