TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

RICE CONSOLIDATED 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Rice Consolidated Independent School District (RCISD).
A total of 132 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 5 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 127.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-four percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students reported using tobacco at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 24 percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Fifteen percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 14* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.2

•Fifty-seven* percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students said they had used alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 26* percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students reported attending at least one class
during the past year while "drunk," and 58* percent of district 10th and 12th

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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 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 15 percent of Rice Consolidated ISD

students (Fig. 1), while past-month inhalant use was reported by 6 percent (Fig.
2).

•Thirty-six percent of Rice Consolidated 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).

•Rice Consolidated ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug
or alcohol problem (93* percent) and least likely to consult their parents (0
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 Rice Consolidated ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-four percent of Rice Consolidated students reported general tobacco use at least once
during their lifetimes (57 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-four percent of Rice
Consolidated ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month (26
percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Forty-nine percent of Rice Consolidated students reported smoking cigarettes at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (55
percent). Twenty-one percent of RCISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (24 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 15
percent of district students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (8
percent). Three* percent of RCISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (21 percent).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 23 percent of RCISD students (19
percent statewide), while 7 percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide). Using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was
reported by 14* percent of district students, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts

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 (2 percent). Two percent of RCISD students said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).

Alcohol

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

Fifty-seven* percent of Rice Consolidated students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes, compared to 78 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Twenty-six*
percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (42 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverage most often consumed by Rice Consolidated students is beer (78
percent/63 percent statewide). Sixty* percent of RCISD students said they drink beer on a
weekly or monthly basis (40 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district students said they
had consumed a wine cooler at least once in their lifetimes (64 percent statewide), while 2*
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by students statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Fifty-three percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (42 percent statewide), while 33 percent
said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (22 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Eight percent of Rice Consolidated students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Fifty-eight* percent of RCISD 10th
and 12th grade students said that they had driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least
once during the past year, a rate higher than that reported by their 10th and 12th grade
counterparts statewide (18 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the
past year was reported by 11 percent of district 10th and 12th graders (5 percent statewide) (Fig.
11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Ninety-four* percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers,
or liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (80 percent). Seven* percent of district students reported most or all of their close
friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (44 percent).
Eighty-nine* percent of Rice Consolidated students responded "from friends" when asked
where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always, compared to 44 percent of students

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statewide. None of the RCISD students reported "difficulties of any kind" with friends because
of one's own drinking (10 percent statewide).

Seventy* percent of Rice Consolidated 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 (44 percent) (Fig. 12). Ninety-one* percent of district students responded "at parties"
when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, compared to 47 percent of
students statewide. None of the RCISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of
the time or always (23 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, 68 percent of Rice Consolidated
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (76 percent). One* percent of district students said they "don't
know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide). Thirty-
one* percent of RCISD students said their parents neither approve nor disapprove, a rate higher
than that reported by students statewide (12 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 somewhat. Overall, Rice
Consolidated ISD students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

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

None of the RCISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide). Twelve percent of district students said they had attended at least one class during
the past school year while "high" on inhalants, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (3 percent). Seven percent of RCISD 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 Rice Consolidated students was liquid/spray
paint (12 percent/7 percent statewide). Ten percent of district students said they had inhaled
correction fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide), 1 percent said they had inhaled
glue (6 percent statewide), and 1* percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide) at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).
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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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 Rice Consolidated ISD, 36 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide
(30 percent). Twenty-two percent of RCISD students said they had used one or more illicit
substances three or more times (21 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said they had
used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 1.6 times in the past 30 days and 4.7 times
during their lives. Rice Consolidated students reported average usage rates of 0.0 times in the
past month and 4.7 times during their lifetimes.

Thirty-six percent of RCISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (28 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 14 percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students (13 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Twenty-five percent of RCISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year
while "stoned" on marijuana, compared to 10 percent of students statewide (Fig. 10). Driving
under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 45* percent of
Rice Consolidated ISD 10th and 12th grade students, a rate higher than that reported by 10th
and 12th grade students statewide (9 percent).

Fifty-eight percent of RCISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (52 percent). Two* percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana, a rate lower than that
reported by students statewide (17 percent). Three 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). Twenty percent of the Rice Consolidated ISD students said that marijuana and/or
other drugs were used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (19
percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Rice Consolidated students reported
a disapproval rate of 85 percent (88 percent statewide). One* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent
statewide). Fourteen* percent of RCISD students said their parents neither approve nor
disapprove, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 15).

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Crack is the next most frequently used illicit substance among Rice Consolidated ISD students
(11* percent/2 percent statewide). Eight percent of RCISD students reported using uppers (8
percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent said they
had used powdered cocaine (6 percent statewide), 2 percent said they had used hallucinogens (7
percent statewide), and 2 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
Rice Consolidated ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have consumed alcohol or
smoked marijuana, nearly two times more likely to have used a tobacco product, nearly three
times more likely to have used crack, and over three times more likely to have used an inhalant
than were district female students. In addition, RCISD male students were the only reported
users of steroids in the district. There were no significant differences by gender among RCISD
students with regard to the use of other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Rice Consolidated ISD, students reporting lower grades were
somewhat more likely to have used a steroid and more than three times more likely to have used
an inhalant than were those students making A and B grades. There were no significant
differences by grade average among RCISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol,
marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Rice Consolidated students said they would seek help from their friends (93*
percent/76 percent statewide). Sixty-six* percent of RCISD students said they would seek help
from a counselor or program in school (33 percent statewide), and 61 percent said they would
turn to a counselor or program outside of school (44 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. District students are least likely to turn to their
parents. None of the RCISD students said they would seek help from their parents, compared
to 53 percent of students statewide (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Rice
Consolidated students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug
use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Seventy-nine percent of Rice Consolidated ISD students said they had gotten information about
drugs and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide).
"A health class" was reported by 70* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (45 percent).
Forty-seven percent of RCISD students said "an assembly program" was a source for this
information (54 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from "an invited school guest," a rate lower than that
reported by students statewide (46 percent).

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Rice Consolidated students believe that crack
use is "very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 93 percent believe that powdered cocaine
use is "very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-eight* percent of RCISD students
believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (77 percent). Sixty-four percent of district students believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (66 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 39 percent of RCISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (45 percent statewide), while 46 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous"
(38 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).