TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

PATTON SPRINGS 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 Patton Springs Independent School District (PSISD). A
total of 56 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 2 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 54.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy-one percent of Patton Springs 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).

•Six percent of PSISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Eighty-three percent of Patton Springs ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 44 percent reported using alcohol during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Seventeen percent of PSISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 31 percent of district 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 39* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).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."

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

1
•Twenty-three percent of PSISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 4 percent said they had used marijuana during the past month
(Fig. 2).

•Patton Springs ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (82 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (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 Patton Springs ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Seventy-one percent of Patton Springs students reported general tobacco use at least once
during their lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). 3 Thirty-two percent of Patton Springs
ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (24 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Seventy-three* percent of Patton Springs students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes, compared to 52 percent of their peers statewide. Twenty-seven percent
of PSISD students 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), while 16 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19
percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 46* percent of PSISD students (17
percent statewide), while 22* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of district
students (2 percent statewide). Twenty-six* percent of district students said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco, compared to 5 percent of students statewide.

Alcohol

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

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Patton Springs
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years
ago. Overall, Patton Springs ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported
by their peers statewide.

Eighty-three percent of Patton Springs students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-four percent of Patton Springs ISD
students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Patton Springs students are beer (66
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty percent
of PSISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide),
while 29 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. Fifty-one percent of Patton Springs ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 34 percent
said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide. Past-year "binge drinking"
of wine coolers was reported by 43 percent of PSISD students (41 percent statewide), while 27
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(19 percent statewide).

Seventeen percent of Patton Springs students reported attending at least one class during the
past school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirty-one percent of PSISD
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 students statewide. Driving while
intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 13 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. Eighty-nine percent of Patton Springs ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, compared to 77 percent of their counterparts
statewide. Forty-four percent of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink
alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 48 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 9 percent of PSISD students (10
percent statewide).

Fifty-four percent of Patton Springs students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Fifty-three 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 PSISD students said they get alcohol
"from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide).

3
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 PSISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (32 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (42 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-two* 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 33* 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, 87 percent of Patton Springs
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Two percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 7 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
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, Patton Springs ISD students are
using inhalants at rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Thirty-nine* percent of Patton Springs students reported using inhalants at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Three percent of Patton
Springs ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Two percent of PSISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 8 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Twenty-one percent of PSISD 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 Patton Springs students was gasoline (28*
percent), a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (6 percent). Fifteen percent of
PSISD students inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide), 13 percent
reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 8 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
said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 7 percent said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 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 Patton Springs ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 23 percent of PSISD students said they had
used one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent 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. Patton Springs students reported average usage
rates of 0 times in the past month and 7.1 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-three percent of PSISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4 percent of Patton
Springs ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Nine percent of PSISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 16 percent of Patton Springs ISD 9th through
12th grade students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade
students statewide (8 percent).

Forty-three percent of PSISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 13 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Nine 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). Sixteen
percent of Patton Springs 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Patton Springs students reported a
disapproval rate of 91 percent (87 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),
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 Patton Springs ISD students
(19 percent/7 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 7 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 6

5
percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered
cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 3 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
Patton Springs ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used uppers or ecstasy,
over two times more likely to have used marijuana, and over three times more likely to have
used inhalants than were district female students. In addition, district male students were the
only reported users of powdered cocaine, crack, hallucinogens, downers, or steroids. There
were no other significant differences by gender among PSISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco products or alcohol.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. PSISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used downers, nearly two times more likely to have used
marijuana, and over two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were those
district students living in homes with two parents. District students living in other family
situations were the only reported users of steroids in the district. There were no other
significant differences by living arrangement among Patton Springs ISD students with regard to
the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Patton Springs students said they would seek help from their friends (82
percent/74 percent statewide). Sixty-seven percent of PSISD students said they would seek
help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 47 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 (26 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began
in the Fall, 6 percent of Patton Springs students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Ninety-two percent of Patton Springs 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 90* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 81* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of
PSISD 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-five percent of Patton Springs students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is

6
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty percent of PSISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 77 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 PSISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 47 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).