TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

AQUILLA 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 Aquilla Independent School District (AISD). A total of 69 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs.
Of that number, one survey was excluded from analysis because the student did not indicate
grade or age, or because he or she was identified as an exaggerator (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 68.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

• Sixty-four percent of Aquilla ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 32 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Nine percent of Aquilla ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, but
none reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

• Eighty-five percent of Aquilla ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 47 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

• Thirty percent of Aquilla 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).

• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 19 percent of Aquilla ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

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."

1
• Twenty-two percent of Aquilla ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 11 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• Aquilla ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(18* percent) (Fig. 17).2

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 Aquilla ISD students, especially with regard to the smokeless variety, appears to be higher
than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-four percent of Aquilla students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Thirty-two percent of Aquilla ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month (26 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-three percent of Aquilla students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), 20 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), and 8 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (8
percent statewide). Eleven percent of district students said most or all of their close friends
smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 49* percent of AISD students (16
percent statewide), while 26* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates considerably higher than those reported by secondary
students statewide. Seven percent of district students reported using a smokeless tobacco
product on a daily basis (1 percent statewide). Twenty-seven* percent of Aquilla students said
most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco, over five times the rate reported by
students statewide (5 percent).
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.

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.

4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Aquilla ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Aquilla ISD students appear to be drinking alcohol at rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their peers statewide.

Eighty-five percent of Aquilla students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-seven percent of Aquilla ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Aquilla students are beer (66 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (73 percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-four percent of
AISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide. 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. AISD students are "binge drinking" beer and wine coolers at rates
higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-three percent of Aquilla ISD
students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide),
while 38* 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 62* percent
of AISD students (40 percent statewide), while 32 percent said they usually drink five or more
wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent statewide).

Fourteen percent of Aquilla students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirty 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, compared to 15 percent of 9th through 12th grade students statewide.
Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 17 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Eighty-two percent of Aquilla ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 44
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 5 percent of AISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-one percent of Aquilla students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Fifty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always

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(43 percent statewide), while 25 percent of AISD 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 AISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (39 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (64 percent/44 percent
statewide). Seventy-five percent of the Aquilla 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 38 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, 70 percent of Aquilla students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students
said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

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, Aquilla ISD
students appear to be using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Twenty-one percent of Aquilla students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (20 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Eight percent of Aquilla ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of AISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended class during the past school year while "high" on
inhalants (4 percent statewide). Ten percent of AISD students said they had used two or more
different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

Nine percent of Aquilla students reported inhaling glue (5 percent statewide), 8 percent said they
had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled

5
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.

4
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling paint thinner (6 percent
statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered form
and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide has increased. The use of marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the Aquilla ISD, 23 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), and 18 percent of AISD students said they had used one or more
illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said they
had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4
times during their lives. Aquilla students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past
month and 5.4 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two percent of AISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(31 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Eleven percent of Aquilla ISD students reported smoking
marijuana during the past month (16 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Five percent of AISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 14 percent of Aquilla ISD 9th through 12th grade
students (12 percent statewide).

Thirty-five* percent of AISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 3* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide), rates considerably lower than those reported by students statewide. One
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). Three* percent of Aquilla 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.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Aquilla students reported a
disapproval rate of 94 percent (85 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide)
(Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Aquilla ISD students. Nine percent of
AISD students reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent
statewide), 4 percent reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used

5
steroids (2 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), and 2
percent reported using crack (3 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 Aquilla ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco
products or inhalants and nearly three times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were
district female students. In addition, AISD male students were the only reported users of
powdered cocaine, crack, hallucinogens, uppers, downers, steroids, or ecstasy in the district.
There was no significant difference by gender among AISD students with regard to the use of
alcohol.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Aquilla students said they would seek help from their friends (78 percent/74 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine percent of AISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in
school (18* percent), nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (35 percent) (Fig. 17).
Since school began in the Fall, 3 percent of Aquilla students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Sixty-six percent of Aquilla ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 75 percent of students
statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 51 percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 46 percent of district
students said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide).
Twenty-four* percent of AISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol
from a "health class," nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-seven percent of Aquilla students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 85 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of AISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 63 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Only 26* percent of AISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide), while 19* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by secondary students statewide (Fig. 13).