TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

DALLAS DIOCESE

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 Dallas Diocese. A total of 1505 students completed the
questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs. Of that number,
43 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
diocese analysis was 1462.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Forty-nine* percent of Dallas Diocese students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 20* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Four* percent of diocese students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
none of the students reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Seventy-five percent of Dallas Diocese 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).

•Six* percent of diocese students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 13 percent of diocese 9th through 12th grade students

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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 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 25* percent of diocese students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of diocese 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).

•Dallas Diocese students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (81* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (30 percent), or a counselor or program in school (31*
percent) (Fig. 17).

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 Dallas Diocese students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Forty-nine* percent of Dallas Diocese students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco
use was lowest among diocese 7th graders (36 percent/40 percent statewide). Forty-seven*
percent of Dallas Diocese 9th grade students said they had used a tobacco product at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (57
percent). Lifetime use of tobacco products was reported by 61 percent of diocese 11th graders,
the same rate reported by 11th graders statewide.

Twenty* percent of Dallas Diocese 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
diocese 7th graders (11* percent/16 percent statewide). Seventeen* percent of Dallas Diocese
8th grade students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by their 8th grade peers statewide (23 percent). Past-month general
tobacco use was highest among diocese 11th grade students (30 percent/27 percent statewide)
and Dallas Diocese 12th grade students (28 percent/31 percent statewide).

Forty-seven* percent of Dallas Diocese students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of Dallas Diocese students said
they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes
on a daily basis was reported by 4* percent of diocese students (7 percent statewide). Daily
cigarette use was highest among Dallas Diocese 12th graders (14 percent/12 percent statewide).
Four* percent of diocese 10th grade students reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis, a rate

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somewhat lower than that reported by their 10th grade counterparts statewide (10 percent).
Fifteen* percent of diocese students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19
percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 13* percent of diocese students (17
percent statewide), while 4* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide). None of the diocese students reported using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis (2 percent statewide), while 2* 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 Dallas Diocese.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Dallas Diocese students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their
peers statewide.

Seventy-five percent of Dallas Diocese students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among
diocese 7th graders (62 percent/58 percent statewide) and highest among diocese 12th graders
(91 percent/86 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty percent of Dallas Diocese students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among diocese 7th graders (25
percent/24 percent statewide). Sixty-four* percent of diocese 12th graders reported past-month
alcohol use, a rate higher than that reported by 12th graders statewide (52 percent) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Dallas Diocese students are beer (58
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (60 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-three*
percent of diocese students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent
statewide), and 30* 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 36*
percent of diocese students (41 percent statewide), while 12* percent said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates
somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide. Thirty-three* percent of Dallas
Diocese students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent
statewide), while 12* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average
when they drink (20 percent statewide), rates also somewhat lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

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Six* percent of Dallas Diocese students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was
reported by 8 percent of diocese 9th graders (10 percent statewide) and 8 percent of Dallas
Diocese 11th graders (10 percent statewide). Three* percent of diocese 8th graders reported
attending at least one class during the past school year while "drunk," a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by 8th graders statewide (10 percent) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Thirteen percent of diocese 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 Dallas Diocese 12th graders (24
percent/26 percent statewide). Three* percent of diocese 9th grade students reported driving
while intoxicated at least once during the past year, compared to 10 percent of 9th grade
students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was
reported by 4 percent of diocese 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-five* percent of Dallas Diocese 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 diocese students reported most or all of
their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 36* 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 diocese students, the same rate reported by students statewide.

Thirty-five* percent of Dallas Diocese 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 diocese 12th graders (79* percent), a rate higher than
that reported by 12th graders statewide (62 percent). Eighteen* percent of Dallas Diocese 8th
grade students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they attended in the past school
year, a rate lower than that reported by their 8th grade counterparts statewide (32 percent) (Figs.
12a and 12b). Forty percent of diocese students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 16* percent of diocese
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 diocese students who had not been absent since September
reported having used alcohol during the past month (23 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
diocese students who said they had missed four or more days of school (47 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-six percent of the diocese 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 diocese students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (26 percent statewide).

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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, 80* percent of Dallas Diocese
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six* percent of
diocese students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 11 percent 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, Dallas Diocese students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-five* percent of Dallas Diocese students reported using inhalants at least once during
their lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 29*
percent of diocese 7th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 27* percent of Dallas Diocese
9th grade students (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their
peers statewide. Eighteen percent of diocese 11th grade students said they had used an inhalant
at least once during their lifetimes (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Six percent of Dallas Diocese students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 8 percent of diocese 8th grade
students (8 percent statewide) and 8 percent of Dallas Diocese 9th grade students (5 percent
statewide). Three percent of diocese 12th grade students said they had used inhalants during the
past month (2 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of diocese 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). Seventeen* percent of diocese 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 Dallas Diocese students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (17* percent), compared to 10 percent of students statewide. Nine percent of
diocese students reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent
statewide), 8* percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 8 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a
and 7b).

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

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 Dallas Diocese, 20* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 13* percent of diocese students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by their counterparts 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. Dallas Diocese students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the past
month and 3.0 times during their lifetimes.

Sixteen* percent of diocese students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 30 percent of Dallas Diocese 12th graders (34 percent
statewide). Seven* percent of diocese 7th graders (13 percent statewide), 9* percent of Dallas
Diocese 8th graders (21 percent statewide), and 15* percent of diocese 9th graders (28 percent
statewide) reported lifetime marijuana use, rates lower than those reported by their counterparts
statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9* percent of Dallas Diocese students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 17 percent of Dallas Diocese 10th
graders (14 percent statewide). Five* percent of diocese 8th graders (11 percent statewide) and
2* percent of Dallas Diocese 7th graders (6 percent statewide) said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Five* percent of diocese students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Class attendance while stoned was reported by 2*
percent of Dallas Diocese 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 3* percent of diocese 9th
graders (12 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide.
Nine percent of diocese 10th graders (11 percent statewide) and 9 percent of Dallas Diocese
12th graders (9 percent statewide) reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8
percent of Dallas Diocese 9th through 12th grade students, the same rate reported by 9th
through 12th grade students statewide. Driving under the influence of drugs was reported by 13
percent of diocese 12th graders (12 percent statewide).

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Forty-one* percent of diocese 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 their counterparts statewide.
Five percent of diocese students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their
friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide).

Thirteen* percent of the Dallas Diocese 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).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 28 percent of diocese
11th graders (25 percent statewide). Nine* percent of Dallas Diocese 9th graders (19 percent
statewide) and 6* percent of diocese 8th graders (12 percent statewide) said that marijuana
and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year.

Fewer Dallas Diocese students who had not been absent since September reported having used
marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did diocese students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (11 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
percent of diocese students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 24 percent of diocese
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, Dallas Diocese students reported a
disapproval rate of 92* percent (87 percent statewide). Five* percent of diocese 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. 17).

Six percent of Dallas Diocese students reported using uppers (10 percent statewide), 6 percent
said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5
percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 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
Dallas Diocese, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
diocese female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among diocese
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Dallas Diocese, students reporting lower grades were somewhat
more likely to have used tobacco or inhalants and over two times more likely to have used

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marijuana than were those students making A and B grades. There were no other significant
differences by grade average among diocese students with regard to the use of alcohol or other
illegal drugs.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. Diocese students living in other family situations
were somewhat more likely to have used tobacco or marijuana than were those diocese students
living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Dallas Diocese students with regard to the use of alcohol, inhalants, or
other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Dallas Diocese students said they would seek help from their friends (81*
percent), compared to 74 percent of their peers statewide. Fifty-eight percent of diocese
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). Diocese students are
least likely to seek help from another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (30 percent/33
percent statewide), or a counselor or program in school (31* percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig.
17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Dallas Diocese students reported seeking help
for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends
(7 percent statewide).

Eighty-three* percent of Dallas Diocese 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 47* percent of diocese students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 43 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Forty-nine* percent of diocese
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-two percent of Dallas Diocese 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). Seventy-two* percent of diocese students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 72* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 43* percent of diocese students feel that it is "very dangerous"
to use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 40 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).