TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

TATUM 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 Tatum Independent School District (TISD). A total of
433 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 22 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 411.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-six percent of Tatum ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Sixty-eight* percent of Tatum ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 34 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Twelve percent of TISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 19 percent of district 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 20 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-two percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Tatum 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 counselor or program in school
(33 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 Tatum ISD students is similar to that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Fifty-six percent of Tatum students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was reported by 48
percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 61 percent of TISD 9th
through 12th graders (60 percent statewide).

Twenty-five percent of Tatum ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 19
percent of TISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 28 percent of district 9th
through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide).

Fifty-three percent of Tatum students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 21 percent of district students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
was reported by 9 percent of district students (7 percent statewide), while 20 percent said most
or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of TISD students (17
percent statewide), while 10* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during
the past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 8 percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).
Alcohol

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

Sixty-eight* percent of Tatum 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 52* percent of TISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate lower than that reported by 7th and
8th graders statewide. Seventy-five percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported
lifetime alcohol use (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-four percent of Tatum ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 20* percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 40 percent of TISD 9th through
12th grade students (46 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their
counterparts statewide (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Tatum students are wine coolers (59
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (56 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-four percent
of TISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
31 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 40
percent of TISD students (41 percent statewide), while 19 percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Thirty-
seven percent of Tatum ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the
past year (39 percent statewide), while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a
time on average when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Twelve percent of Tatum students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Nineteen percent of TISD 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 5 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 percent of Tatum ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, compared to 40 percent of
students statewide. Thirty-seven percent of Tatum students responded "from friends" when
asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (40 percent statewide).

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"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 9 percent
of TISD students (10 percent statewide).

Twenty-nine* percent of Tatum students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
attended in the past school year, a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(39 percent). Alcohol use at most or all parties was reported by 37* percent of TISD 9th
though 12th graders, compared to 51 percent of students statewide (Figs. 12a and 12b). Thirty-
three* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained
alcohol most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (44
percent). Nineteen percent of TISD 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 TISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (15* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (38 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-eight 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 23 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, 75 percent of Tatum students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 12 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, Tatum ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty percent of Tatum students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 17 percent of TISD 7th

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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and 8th graders (17 percent statewide) and 21 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (22
percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three percent of Tatum ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). One percent of TISD 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). Twelve
percent of TISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances
during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Tatum students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (9 percent/10 percent statewide) and gasoline (9 percent/6 percent statewide). Eight
percent of district students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray
paint (7 percent statewide), and 4 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 Tatum ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 16 percent of TISD 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. Tatum students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in the
past month and 3.1 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two percent of TISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use
was reported by 7* percent of district 7th and 8th grade students, a rate lower than that reported
by 7th and 8th grade students statewide (17 percent). Thirty percent of TISD 9th through 12th
graders reported lifetime marijuana use (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8 percent of Tatum ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 3 percent of TISD 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

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Seven percent of TISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Tatum ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-three percent of TISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide). Eight* percent of Tatum students reported most or all of their close friends
use marijuana, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (17 percent).
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).

Eleven* percent of the Tatum ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent). Use of marijuana and/or other drugs at
most or all parties was reported by 14* percent of 9th through 12th graders, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (22 percent).

Fewer Tatum ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (2 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (11 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, 28 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, Tatum students reported a
disapproval rate of 92* 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 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Tatum ISD students. Uppers are the next
most frequently used illicit substance among Tatum ISD students (8 percent/7 percent
statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 9th through 12th graders (12
percent/9 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Eight percent of TISD students said they had
used uppers (7 percent statewide), 7 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 4
percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent
statewide), and 2 percent reported using ecstasy (3 percent statewide) at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

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Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Tatum ISD, male students were somewhat more to have used a tobacco product, nearly twice as
likely to have used inhalants, and more than two times more likely to have used marijuana than
were district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among
TISD students with regard to the use of alcohol or other illicit substances.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. TISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product and nearly twice as likely to have used
marijuana than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no
other significant differences by living arrangement among Tatum ISD students with regard to
the use of alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Tatum students said they would seek help from their friends (80 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-two percent of TISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 54 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 (33 percent/35 percent statewide) or a medical doctor (34 percent/38 percent statewide)
(Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Tatum students reported seeking help for
any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Eighty-seven* percent of Tatum ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of students
statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 79* percent of district students as a source
for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 76* percent said "an
invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher than
those reported by students statewide. Forty-five percent of TISD 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-three percent of Tatum students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-six* percent of TISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 78* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 56* percent of
TISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide). Forty-
seven percent of Tatum ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent
statewide) (Fig. 13).