TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

FARWELL ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, 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 Farwell Independent School District (FISD). A total of
219 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 3 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 216.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-two percent of Farwell ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 35* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Four percent of Farwell ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
3 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-seven percent of Farwell 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).

•Three* percent of Farwell ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 21 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."

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 18 percent of Farwell ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-five percent of Farwell ISD 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).

•Farwell ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (74 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(33 percent) or another adult in school, such as a nurse or a teacher (33 percent)
(Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Farwell ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-two percent of Farwell students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-five* percent of
Farwell ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher
than that reported by their counterparts statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Fifty-seven percent of Farwell students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Thirty percent of FISD students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of district
students (7 percent statewide). Thirty-two* percent of district students said most or all of their
close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 36* percent of FISD students (17
percent statewide), while 18* 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 3 percent of district
students (2 percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of FISD students said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (5 percent).
3 Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in 1994.

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

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Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Farwell ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992.
Overall, Farwell ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Sixty-seven percent of Farwell students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Thirty-four percent of Farwell
ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig.
2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Farwell students are beer (59 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (47* percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of
FISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide).
Seventeen* percent of district students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (34 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-six percent of Farwell ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 23 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 31 percent of FISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 14 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 their counterparts statewide.

Three* percent of Farwell students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (10
percent) (Fig. 9). Twenty-one percent of FISD 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 7
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. Sixty-nine percent of Farwell ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (77 percent). Thirty-nine percent of district students reported most or all of
their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 45 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 5 percent of FISD students (10 percent statewide).

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Thirty-eight percent of Farwell students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide). Five* percent of FISD students said they get alcohol "from the
store" most of the time or always, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (21
percent).

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 been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Thirty-seven percent of FISD students who had not been absent
since the Fall reported having used alcohol during the past month, a rate higher than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (26 percent). Thirty-seven percent of district students
who said they had missed four or more days of school reported having used alcohol during the
past month, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (47 percent). Seventy-five*
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, a rate higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 28 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, 79 percent of Farwell 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 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Farwell ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Farwell students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Three percent of Farwell ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Three percent of FISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 1 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Twelve percent of FISD students said
5 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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they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, the same
rate reported by students statewide.

Eight percent of Farwell ISD students reported inhaling correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10
percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 7 percent
reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 7 percent
said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 5 percent reported inhaling
gasoline (6 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. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Farwell ISD, 26 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 14 percent of FISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers 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.
Farwell students reported average usage rates of 1.2 times in the past month and 2.9 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-five percent of FISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported
by 14 percent of Farwell ISD students (12 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Seven percent of FISD 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 23 percent of Farwell ISD 9th through 12th
grade students, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (8 percent).

Forty-two percent of FISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 12 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). One* percent of district students said they had been in "difficulties of any
kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Eighteen percent
of the Farwell 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, Farwell students reported a
disapproval rate of 93* percent, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers
statewide (87 percent). Five percent of district students said they "don't know" how their

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parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide), while none said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Farwell ISD students. Six percent of
FISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 2* percent said they had used
hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 2 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 1*
percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using
ecstasy (3 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the district students
reported ever using crack (2 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Farwell ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have consumed alcohol, nearly twice
as likely to have used a tobacco product or an inhalant, and over two times more likely to have
smoked marijuana than were district female students. In addition, FISD male students were the
only reported users of steroids in the district. On the other hand, FISD female students were the
only reported users of ecstasy in the district. There were no other significant differences by
gender among FISD students with regard to the use of illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Farwell students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-one percent of FISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 57 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 another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse
(33 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Farwell
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 Farwell ISD students said they had obtained 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 70* percent of district students as
a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 66* percent said
"an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher
than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Thirty-three* percent of FISD students
reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate lower than
that reported by their counterparts statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-two percent of Farwell 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). Seventy-one percent of FISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 69 percent believe that marijuana use is

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"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of FISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of district students believe that tobacco
use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (41 percent)
(Fig. 13).