TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MEADOW 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 Meadow Independent School District (MISD). A total of
113 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 110.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-two percent of Meadow ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Four percent of Meadow ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while none reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-one* percent of Meadow ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 18* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

•Two* percent of Meadow ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 6 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 14 percent of Meadow ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by none of the students (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen percent of Meadow ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 5* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Meadow ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (69 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(28 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 Meadow ISD students is somewhat lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-two percent of Meadow students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Sixteen percent of Meadow ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide
(Fig. 2).

Forty-eight percent of Meadow students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide). Thirteen percent of MISD students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (22 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of district
students (7 percent statewide). Eight* percent of district students said most or all of their close
friends smoke cigarettes, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (19 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 13 percent of MISD students (17
percent statewide), while 4 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide). None of the district students reported using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis (2 percent statewide), while 1 percent said most or all of their
close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Sixty-one* percent of Meadow students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Eighteen* percent of Meadow
ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Meadow students are beer (54 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (44* percent/61 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent
of MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
19* percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates lower
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. Thirty-eight percent of Meadow ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 18 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 MISD
students (41 percent statewide), and 12 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 peers statewide.

Two* percent of Meadow students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (10 percent)
(Fig. 9). Six percent of MISD 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
9th through 12th grade students statewide. Driving while intoxicated four or more times during
the past year was reported by 1 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. Seventy-four percent of Meadow ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 28 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 4 percent
of MISD students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (10
percent).

Twenty-six percent of Meadow students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (39

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percent) (Fig. 12). Thirty-two percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide), while 5* percent
of MISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers 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 been in 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 (17 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (23 percent/47 percent
statewide). Forty-four 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
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 15* 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 lower 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, 77 percent of Meadow students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Ten percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 9 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, Meadow ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fourteen percent of Meadow students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). None of the Meadow ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Three percent of MISD 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 MISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12
percent 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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The inhalant substance most frequently used by Meadow students was gasoline (9 percent/6
percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7
percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 6 percent reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), and 5 percent said
they had inhaled paint thinner (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 Meadow ISD, 20 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 11 percent of MISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by their counterparts 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. Meadow students reported an average usage rate of 1.8 times during their
lifetimes.

Eighteen percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1).
Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5* percent of Meadow ISD students, compared to 12
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2).

Four percent of MISD 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 6 percent of Meadow ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Thirty-four* percent of MISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 8 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers statewide. Three 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). Seven* percent of the Meadow 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 lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Meadow students reported a
disapproval rate of 89 percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent

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statewide), while 1 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Meadow ISD students. Four percent of
MISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had used
steroids (2 percent statewide), 1* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent
statewide), 1 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had used
powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the district
students reported ever using crack (2 percent statewide) or ecstasy (3 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
Meadow ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and nearly two
times more likely to have smoked marijuana than were district female students. In addition,
MISD male students were the only reported users of powdered cocaine, hallucinogens,
downers, or steroids in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender
among MISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or uppers.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Meadow students said they would seek help from their friends (69 percent/74
percent statewide). Sixty-five percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 64 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. District students are least likely to seek help from a counselor or program in school
(28 percent/35 percent statewide) or a medical doctor (30 percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig.
17). Since school began in the Fall, 3 percent of Meadow students reported seeking help for
any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Sixty-six* percent of Meadow ISD students said they had obtained information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate lower than that reported by
their peers statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 42 percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate lower than that
reported by students statewide (53 percent). Thirty-five percent of district students reported
getting information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide), while
32 percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was the source for this information
(46 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Meadow students believe that powdered cocaine
use is "very dangerous" (90 percent statewide), and 87 percent believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of MISD students believe that inhalant

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use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 65 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 33 percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 28 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(41 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).