TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

HIGH ISLAND 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 High Island Independent School District (HIISD). A
total of 148 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 14 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 134.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy-five* percent of High Island ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Thirteen percent of High Island ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Eighty-four percent of High Island ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 54* percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eleven percent of High Island ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 17 percent of district 9th through 12th grade

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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 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 22 percent of High Island ISD students (Fig.
1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-eight* percent of High Island ISD students reported using marijuana at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 25* percent said they had used
marijuana during the past month (Fig. 2).

•High Island ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (81 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a nurse or teacher (23 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 High Island ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Seventy-five* percent of High Island students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (55 percent) (Fig. 1). 4
Thirty-seven* percent of High Island ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Seventy* percent of High Island students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 34* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 13 percent of district students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (7 percent). Thirty-six* percent
of district students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes, a rate higher than that
reported by students statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 30* percent of HIISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Thirteen* percent of the
district students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (6 percent). Using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 2 percent of district students (2 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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statewide), and 7 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 High Island
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide in 1994 was similar to that reported in
1992. Overall, High Island ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported
by their peers statewide.

Eighty-four percent of High Island students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (74 percent) (Fig. 1).
Fifty-four* percent of High Island ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, a rate also higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by High Island students are beer (76* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (73* percent/61 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by students statewide. Forty-eight percent of HIISD students said they drink beer on a
weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 43 percent said they drink wine coolers
weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates also 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 56*
percent of HIISD students, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (41 percent).
Twenty-five percent of the district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at
a time on average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (19 percent). Fifty-five percent of High Island ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year, a rate higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (39 percent). Twenty-seven percent of HIISD students said they usually
drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by students statewide (20 percent).

Eleven percent of High Island students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Seventeen percent of HIISD 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). None of the district 9th through 12
graders reported driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-six* percent of High Island ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
students statewide (77 percent). Fifty-two* percent of district students reported most or all of

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their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 54* percent responded "from
friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (40 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. "Difficulties of any
kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 7 percent of HIISD students
(10 percent statewide).

Fifty-three* percent of High Island students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (39
percent) (Fig. 12). Fifty-seven* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, a rate higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (44 percent). Thirteen percent of HIISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts 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 gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer HIISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (27 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (60 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-six* 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 students statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 35* percent of
district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct
problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (26 percent).

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, 65 percent of High Island
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate lower than that reported by their
peers statewide (75 percent). Eight percent of district students said they "don't know" how their
parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10 percent statewide). Nineteen percent of the
district students said their parents neither approve nor disapprove, a rate somewhat higher than
that reported by students statewide (11 percent) (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, High Island ISD students
are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.
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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Twenty-two percent of High Island students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Six percent of High Island ISD students said they had
used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of HIISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
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). Thirteen percent of HIISD 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 High Island students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported
inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent
statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 5
percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 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 High Island ISD, 39 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 35* percent of HIISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by students 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. High
Island students reported average usage rates of 3.3 times in the past month and 9.0 times during
their lifetimes.

Thirty-eight* percent of HIISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 25* percent of High Island ISD students, a rate
higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2).

Eighteen* percent of HIISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (9
percent) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was
reported by 22* percent of High Island ISD 9th through 12th grade students, a rate higher than
that reported by their peers statewide (8 percent).

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Fifty-eight percent of HIISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 30* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Seven 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). Thirty-two* percent of the High Island 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 also higher than that reported by their peers statewide (17
percent).

Fewer High Island ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (11 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (33 percent/15 percent statewide). Ten
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (4 percent). By contrast, 60* 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, a
rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, High Island students reported a
disapproval rate of 91 percent (87 percent statewide). Three percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number HIISD students. Fourteen* percent of the
High Island ISD students said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 12* percent
reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 11 percent reported using uppers (7 percent
statewide), 10 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), and 10*
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
High Island ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana or used
uppers than were district female students. In addition, HIISD male students were the only
reported users of steroids in the district. District females students were somewhat more likely to
have used crack and nearly three times more likely to have used ecstasy than were district male
students. There were no other significant differences by gender among HIISD students with
regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, powdered cocaine,
hallucinogens, or downers.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. HIISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco product, hallucinogens, or uppers and nearly
twice as likely to have used inhalants, marijuana, or ecstasy than were those district students

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living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among High Island ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products,
alcohol, powdered cocaine, crack, downers, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of High Island students said they would seek help from their friends (81 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-two percent of HIISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 46 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 (23 percent/33 percent statewide), or a medical doctor (25*
percent/38 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by their peers
statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of High Island students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-seven percent of High Island ISD students said they had obtained information about
drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide).
"An assembly program" was reported by 54 percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 47 percent said they got this
information from a "health class" (46 percent statewide). Thirty-three percent of HIISD
students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from "an invited school guest," a
rate lower than that reported by students statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-eight percent of High Island students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 84 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Sixty-seven percent of HIISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 44* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 30*
percent of HIISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent statewide),
while 20* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide), rates
lower than those reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 13).