TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MEXIA 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 9 through 12 in the Mexia Independent School District (MISD). A total of
413 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 15 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 398.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-four percent of Mexia ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Fourteen* percent of MISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
5* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Eighty-eight* percent of Mexia ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 58* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class during the past year
while "drunk," and 29* percent of district students said they had driven a car at
least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink."

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

•Twenty-four* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 14 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Mexia ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (80 percent) and least likely to consult a another adult in school, such as
a teacher or nurse (26 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 Mexia ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Sixty-four percent of Mexia students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (60 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Thirty-six percent of Mexia ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month (27 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-one percent of Mexia students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (57 percent statewide). Thirty-two* percent of MISD students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (25 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
was reported by 14* percent of district students (9 percent statewide), while 31* percent said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher
than those reported by students statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29* percent of MISD students (19
percent statewide), while 11* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (7 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 5 percent of district
students (2 percent statewide), and 9 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless
tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Mexia ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.

3
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Overall, Mexia ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Eighty-eight* percent of Mexia students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Fifty-eight* percent of Mexia ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Mexia students are beer (74* percent/67
percent statewide) and wine coolers (76* percent/68 percent statewide). Fifty-five* percent of
MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (43 percent statewide), and
46* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (38 percent statewide), rates higher
than those reported by their peers statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Fifty-eight* percent of Mexia ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (45 percent statewide), while 36* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (24 percent), rates
higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers
was reported by 56* percent of MISD students, a rate also higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (47 percent). Twenty-seven percent of district students said they usually drink
five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Mexia students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk," the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 9). Twenty-nine* percent of
MISD students said they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during
the past year, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (15 percent).
Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 7* percent of
district students (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Ninety* percent of Mexia ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (84 percent statewide). Sixty-three* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (48 percent statewide), and 58*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (49 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 19*
percent of MISD students (11 percent statewide).

Sixty-two* percent of Mexia students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (51 percent) (Fig. 12). Fifty-seven percent of district students responded "at parties"
when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (53 percent statewide), while
31 percent of MISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always
(27 percent statewide).

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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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (40* percent/31 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (61 percent/53 percent
statewide). Eighty* 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 (69 percent
statewide). By contrast, 37* percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (33
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 Mexia students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by
students statewide (74 percent). Eleven percent of district students said they "don't know" how
their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8 percent statewide), and 16 percent said
their parents neither approve nor disapprove (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4

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, Mexia ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fourteen percent of Mexia students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(17 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). One percent of Mexia ISD students said they had used inhalants
during the past month (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Two percent of MISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (2
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). Eight percent of MISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (10 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Mexia students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (8 percent/8 percent statewide). Seven percent of MISD students reported inhaling
gasoline (5 percent statewide), 6 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants"
category (6 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (6 percent

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.

4
statewide), and 5 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide) at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

None of the Mexia ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (2 percent statewide). Two percent of district students who said
they had missed four or more days of school reported having used inhalants during the past
month (4 percent statewide). None of the district students who had not gotten into trouble with
school officials reported using inhalants within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By
contrast, 3 percent of district students who had gotten into trouble with school officials on four
or more days reported using inhalants during the past 30 days (8 percent statewide).

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 Mexia ISD, 28 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (33 percent statewide), while 19 percent of MISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (23 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said
they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.8 times in the past 30 days and
5.4 times during their lives. Mexia students reported average usage rates of 1.6 times in the past
month and 3.9 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-four* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 14 percent of Mexia ISD students, the same rate reported by
their peers statewide (Fig. 2).

Ten percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Mexia ISD students (8 percent
statewide).

Fifty-six percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (58
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (19
percent statewide). Five 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).

Seventeen percent of Mexia ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (22 percent statewide).

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Fewer Mexia ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (12 percent/7 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (15 percent/18 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (6 percent statewide). By contrast, 25 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 (34 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Mexia students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (88 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (6 percent
statewide), while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Mexia ISD students (10
percent/9 percent statewide). Six percent of district students reported using downers (6 percent
statewide), 5 percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 2 percent said they
had used powdered cocaine (6 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
Mexia ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and two times
more likely to have used uppers than were district female students. There were no other
significant differences by gender among MISD students with regard to alcohol or other illicit
drug use.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Mexia ISD, students reporting lower grades were nearly two times
more likely to have used marijuana, two times more likely to have used inhalants, and three
times more likely to have used cocaine or downers than were those students making A and B
grades. There were no other significant differences by grade average among MISD students
with regard to alcohol or other illegal drug use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Mexia students said they would seek help from their friends (80 percent/77
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 50 percent said they would turn to their
parents (51 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult
in school, such as a teacher or nurse (26 percent/31 percent statewide). Since school began in
the Fall, 2 percent of Mexia students reported seeking help for any problems connected with
alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

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Eighty-three percent of Mexia ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (78 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 66* percent of district students as a source for this
information (52 percent statewide), while 58* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide). Fifty percent of MISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (45 percent
statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Mexia students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (92 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of MISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (78 percent statewide), and 71* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (62 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 43 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 29 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).