TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SANFORD ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1996, 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 Sanford Independent School District (SISD). A total of 529
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 40 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 489.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-five* percent of Sanford ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 38* percent said they had used tobacco during the
past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Sixty-nine percent of Sanford ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-one percent of Sanford ISD 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"
(Fig. 11).

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 29* percent of Sanford ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 10* percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty percent of Sanford 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).

•Sanford ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (81* percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in
school (22* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Sanford ISD students is higher than that reported by students statewide.

Sixty-five* percent of Sanford students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime tobacco use was
reported by 53 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (47 percent statewide). Seventy-one*
percent of SISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime use of a tobacco product, a rate
higher than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (60 percent).

Thirty-eight* percent of Sanford ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month, in contrast to the 26 percent reported by their peers statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month
general tobacco use was reported by 21 percent of SISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent
statewide). Forty-eight* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported using a
tobacco product during the past month (30 percent).

Sixty* percent of Sanford students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), while 35* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (25 percent statewide), and 15* percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
(8 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Daily use of
cigarettes was reported by 20* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students, nearly twice
the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (11 percent). Twenty-four
percent of SISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent
statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 33* percent of SISD students (16
percent statewide), while 12* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), more than double the rates reported by students statewide.
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 the Spring of 1996.

2
Three percent of district students reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis (1
percent statewide), and 6 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 Sanford ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Sanford ISD 7th and 8th grade students are drinking alcohol at rates
somewhat lower than those reported by their peers statewide, while SISD 9th through 12th
graders are doing so at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-nine percent of Sanford students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 55 percent of
SISD 7th and 8th graders, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th and 8th graders
statewide (63 percent). Seventy-six percent of district 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime
alcohol use (80 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-six percent of Sanford ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (38 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 20 percent of
district 7th and 8th grade students, compared to 28 percent of 7th and 8th grade students
statewide. Forty-five percent of SISD 9th through 12th grade students said they had consumed
alcohol during the past month (43 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Sanford students are beer (57 percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52 percent/58 percent statewide). Thirty-two percent of
SISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (33 percent statewide), and 28
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (31 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. SISD students are "binge drinking" beer and wine coolers when
they drink at rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Forty percent of
Sanford ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37
percent statewide), while 27* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was
reported by 40 percent of SISD students (40 percent statewide), while 25* percent said they
usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent
statewide).

Six percent of Sanford students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (9 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was reported by 3*
percent of SISD 7th and 8th graders, less than half the rate reported by 7th and 8th graders
statewide (8 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

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Twenty-one percent of SISD 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-two* percent of Sanford ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Thirty-one* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that reported
by students statewide (37 percent). Forty-two percent of SISD students responded "from
friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always (39 percent
statewide), while 10 percent reported "difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-seven percent of Sanford students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 14 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (17 percent statewide) and 50 percent of
SISD 9th through 12th graders (49 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-eight percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide). Nine* percent of SISD students said they get alcohol "from the store"
most of the time or always, nearly half the rate reported by their peers statewide (17 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 SISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (22 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (44 percent/44 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine 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 (62 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 (25
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, 83* percent of Sanford students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (76 percent). Five* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their
parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9 percent statewide), and 9 percent said their
parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants4
4
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

4
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 has stayed about the same. Overall, Sanford ISD
students are using inhalants at rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

Twenty-nine* percent of Sanford students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, in contrast to the 20 percent reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant
use was reported by 27 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (23 percent statewide). Thirty*
percent of SISD 9th through 12th graders reported lifetime inhalant use, a rate higher than that
reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (18 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Ten* percent of Sanford ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month, double
the rate reported by students statewide (5 percent) (Fig. 2). Past-month inhalant use was
reported by 8 percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (8 percent statewide). Eleven*
percent of SISD 9th through 12th grade students reported using an inhalant during the past
month, compared to 3 percent of 9th through 12th grade students statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Three percent of SISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Twenty-one* percent of SISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, nearly twice
the rate reported by students statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Sanford students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (17* percent/9 percent statewide) and gasoline (17* percent/5 percent statewide), rates
higher than those reported by students statewide. Thirteen* percent of district students reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 11 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 10* percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (5 percent statewide), 9* percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 7*
percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least
once during their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).
Fewer Sanford ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (6 percent/4 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (12 percent/6 percent statewide). Five percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (3 percent statewide). By contrast, 24 percent of district students who
had gotten into trouble with school officials on four or more days reported using inhalants during
the past 30 days (11 percent statewide).

Illicit Drugs

generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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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 secondary students statewide has increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among secondary
students statewide over the last two years.

In the Sanford ISD, 33 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 25 percent of SISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said
they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4
times during their lives. Sanford students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past
month and 6.9 times during their lifetimes.

Thirty percent of SISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate
similar to that reported by their peers statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was
reported by 16 percent of Sanford 7th and 8th grade students (21 percent statewide) and 38
percent of district 9th through 12th grade students (37 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 14 percent of Sanford ISD students (16 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (11 percent statewide) and 17 percent of SISD 9th through 12th graders (19 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Seven* percent of SISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana, nearly half the rate reported by students statewide (13 percent).
Attending class while "stoned" was reported by 5 percent of Sanford 7th and 8th graders (10
percent statewide) and 9* percent of district 9th through 12th graders (14 percent statewide)
(Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by
16 percent of Sanford ISD 9th through 12th grade students (12 percent statewide).

Sixty-one* percent of SISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (53 percent). However, only 14* percent of
Sanford ISD students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana, a rate lower than
that reported by their peers statewide (21 percent). Seven percent of district students said they
had gotten into "difficulties of any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (6
percent statewide).

Fifteen* percent of the Sanford ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 23 percent of
students statewide. Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 20*
percent of SISD 9th through 12th grade students, a rate lower than that reported by 9th through
12th grade students statewide (29 percent).

Fewer Sanford ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (9 percent/9 percent statewide) than did district students who

6
said they had missed four or more days of school (16 percent/20 percent statewide). Five
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By contrast, 38 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Sanford students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent, a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (85
percent). Four* percent of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about
kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide), while 4 percent said their parents neither
approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a smaller number of Sanford ISD students. Uppers are the
next most frequently used illicit substance among Sanford ISD students (14* percent), nearly
double the rate reported by their counterparts statewide (8 percent). Ten* percent of district
students reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent
statewide), 5 percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using
crack (3 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide) at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Sanford ISD, male students were over two times more likely to have used
powdered cocaine and over three times more likely to have used steroids than were district
female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among SISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, 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. SISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana or used steroids, nearly two times more likely
to have used hallucinogens, uppers, downers, or ecstasy, over twice as likely to have used crack,
and over three times more likely to have used powdered cocaine than were those district students
living in homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among Sanford ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, or
inhalants.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Sanford students said they would seek help from their friends (81* percent/74 percent
statewide). Fifty-five percent of SISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or
relative (58 percent statewide), and 48 percent said they would turn to their parents (54 percent
statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug or alcohol problem from a

7
counselor or program in school (22* percent), a rate lower than that reported by students
statewide (35 percent) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Sanford students
reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other
than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Ninety-three* percent of Sanford ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, in contrast to the 75 percent
reported by their peers statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 85* percent of
district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide),
while 84* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38 percent
statewide), rates considerably higher than those reported by students statewide. Forty-eight
percent of SISD 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. Eighty-seven percent of Sanford students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 86 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-two percent of SISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 64 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Forty-two percent of SISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide). Twenty-five* percent of Sanford ISD students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 13).