TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LORENA ISD

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 Lorena Independent School District (LISD). A total of
471 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 9 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 462.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty percent of Lorena ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 22 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Six percent of LISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 6*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

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

•Four percent of LISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 14 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students said

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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 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 13* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirteen* percent of LISD 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).

•Lorena ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (84* percent) and least likely to consult a another adult in school, such
as a teacher or nurse (35 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 Lorena ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty percent of Lorena students reported general tobacco use at least once during their lifetimes
(55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was reported by 34* percent of district 7th
and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (46 percent). Sixty-one
percent of LISD 9th through 12th graders reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-two percent of Lorena ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current general tobacco use was reported by 16
percent of LISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 26 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Forty-three* percent of Lorena students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 17* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 6
percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 1
percent of Lorena 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 9 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Eleven* percent of LISD students said most
or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 28* percent of LISD students (16
percent statewide), while 12* percent 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

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reported by 6* 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 Lorena ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Lorena ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates lower than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Sixty-three* percent of Lorena students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 44* percent of LISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 75 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty* percent of Lorena ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month
(39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 18* percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 38 percent of LISD 9th through 12th grade
students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Lorena students are beer (47* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52* percent/61 percent statewide). Twenty-seven* percent
of LISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
25* 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. Thirty-two* percent of Lorena ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past-year (39 percent statewide), while 18 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 35 percent of LISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 16 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Four* percent of Lorena students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was reported by
5 percent of LISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 4* percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

Fourteen percent of LISD 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
while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 3 percent of district
9th through 12th graders (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

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Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-one* percent of Lorena ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 30* 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 8 percent of LISD students (10 percent statewide).

Twenty-nine* percent of Lorena 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 4* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 46 percent of
LISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty* percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 12* percent of LISD 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 LISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (16 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (36 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-four* 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 18* 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, 82* percent of Lorena students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six* percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 10 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, Lorena ISD students are using
inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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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Thirteen* percent of Lorena students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 9* percent of district 7th
and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 16 percent of LISD 9th through 12th graders (17
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Lorena ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 6 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 4 percent of LISD 9th through 12th grade students
(4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Two percent of LISD 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 (3 percent statewide). Eight percent of LISD 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 Lorena students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (7 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other
inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6
percent statewide), 4 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 3 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 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 Lorena ISD, 17* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 11* percent of LISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower 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. Lorena students reported average usage rates of 0.8 times in the past month and 1.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Thirteen* percent of LISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana

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use was reported by 5 percent of Lorena 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide), and
18* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 7* percent of Lorena ISD students, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use
was reported by 2 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (8 percent statewide) and 10 percent of
LISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of LISD 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 Lorena 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 4 percent of district 9th through
12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 7 percent of Lorena ISD 9th through 12th grade students
(8 percent statewide).

Twenty-seven* percent of LISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain
(48 percent statewide), and 6* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana
(17 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers 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).

Six* percent of the Lorena 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). Marijuana
and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 3 percent of district 7th and 8th
grade students (9 percent statewide) and 8* percent of LISD 9th through 12th grade students
(22 percent statewide).

Fewer Lorena 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 (8 percent/15 percent statewide). Two 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, 23 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, Lorena students reported a
disapproval rate of 93* percent (87 percent statewide). Four* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Lorena ISD students (8
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through
12th grade students (11 percent/9 percent statewide). Four percent of district students said they
had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent reported using downers (5 percent

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statewide), 3 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 2* percent said they had
used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 2 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
Lorena ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among LISD
students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Lorena students said they would seek help from their friends (84* percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of LISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 64* 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 (30 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 2 percent of Lorena students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Eighty-four percent of Lorena 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 32* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 40 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Fifty-five* percent of LISD
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-eight* percent of Lorena students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 95* percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-two percent of LISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 82* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 53 percent of LISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 35 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).