TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

DUMAS 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 8, 10, and 12 in the Dumas Independent School District (DISD). A total of 671
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 51 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 620.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-one percent of Dumas ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 31 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Nine percent of Dumas ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
8* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Seventy-four percent of Dumas ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 39 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-five percent of Dumas ISD 10th and 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 23 percent of Dumas ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-five* percent of Dumas ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 11* percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Dumas ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (79 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (35 percent)
(Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the use of
tobacco products in general, and of cigarettes in particular, among Dumas ISD students is similar
to that reported by their counterparts statewide. However, DISD students are using smokeless
tobacco products at rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixty-one percent of Dumas students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (58 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was reported by 58
percent of district 8th graders (52 percent statewide). Sixty-three percent of DISD 12th graders
(63 percent statewide) and 64 percent of Dumas 10th graders (60 percent statewide) said they
had used a tobacco product at least once during their lifetimes.

Thirty-two percent of Dumas ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past
month (28 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by 26
percent of DISD 8th grade students (23 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent of Dumas 10th
grade students (30 percent statewide) and 37 percent of district 12th grade students (34 percent
statewide) said they had used a tobacco product during the past month.

Fifty-five percent of Dumas students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (56 percent statewide), and 24 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (26 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 9 percent of
district students (9 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was reported by 20 percent of district
12th graders (14 percent statewide). Eighteen percent of Dumas students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes (22 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 29* percent of DISD students (18
percent statewide), while 16* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (6 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Using
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
a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 8* percent of district students (2
percent statewide), and 12* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco
(5 percent statewide), more than double the rates reported by students statewide.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Dumas ISD.
Alcohol use among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that
reported two years ago. Overall, Dumas ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat
similar to those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-four percent of Dumas students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (76 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol consumption was reported by 64
percent of district 8th graders (68 percent statewide). Eighty-one percent of Dumas 10th graders
(79 percent statewide) and 85 percent of DISD 12th graders (85 percent statewide) said they had
consumed alcohol at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 3).

Thirty-nine percent of Dumas ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month (40 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month alcohol use was reported by 26 percent of
DISD 8th grade students (32 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of Dumas 10th grade
students (42 percent statewide) and 52 percent of district 12th grade students (51 percent
statewide) said they had consumed alcohol during the past month (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Dumas students are beer (64 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/62 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent of
DISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (35 percent statewide), and 28
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (32 percent statewide).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Fifty percent of Dumas ISD students reported "binge drinking"
beer at least once during their lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 30* percent said they
usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent statewide),
rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Lifetime "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 45 percent of DISD students (41 percent statewide), while 23
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Dumas students reported attending at least one class during the past school year
while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b). Twenty-five percent of DISD 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 (18 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated at least once during the
past year was reported by 23* percent of district 10th grade students, nearly double the rate
reported by students statewide (12 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during

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the past year was reported by 9 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.
Eighty percent of Dumas ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were somewhat
easy or very easy to obtain (79 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of district students
reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 44 percent
responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always
(42 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was
reported by 13 percent of DISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of Dumas students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (41 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 19 percent of DISD 8th graders (21 percent statewide), 53 percent of district 10th
graders (48 percent statewide), and 54 percent of Dumas 12th graders (61 percent statewide)
(Fig. 13). Forty-two percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtain alcohol most of the time or always (46 percent statewide), while 22 percent of DISD
students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (19 percent 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 gotten into trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer DISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (32 percent/27 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (43 percent/47 percent
statewide). Fifty-five* percent of the Dumas students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (65 percent
statewide). 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 (27
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, 75 percent of Dumas students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eleven percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (8
percent statewide), and 11 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 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
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has stayed about the same.
Overall, Dumas ISD students are using inhalants at rates somewhat similar to those reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-three percent of Dumas students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 28 percent of
district 8th graders (24 percent statewide) and 21 percent of Dumas 10th graders (18 percent
statewide). Thirteen percent of DISD 12th graders said they had used an inhalant at least once
during their lifetimes (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Dumas ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Three percent of DISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class
during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Fifteen percent of
DISD students said they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their
lifetimes (11 percent statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Dumas students were correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/9 percent statewide) and those in the "other inhalants" category (11* percent/8
percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent
statewide), 7* percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (3 percent
statewide), and 7 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide) at least once
during their lifetimes.

Illicit Drugs

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 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students statewide has
increased. The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased
among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders statewide over the last two years.

In the Dumas ISD, 29* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (36 percent statewide), while 20* percent of DISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (27 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 2.4 times in the past 30 days and 7.0 times during their lives.
Dumas students reported average usage rates of 1.6 times in the past month and 5.1 times during
their lifetimes.

Twenty-five* percent of DISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (33 percent) (Fig. 1).

5
Lifetime use of marijuana was reported by 23 percent of district 8th graders (26 percent
statewide). Twenty-five percent of Dumas 10th graders (36 percent statewide) and 30 percent of
DISD 12th graders (41 percent statewide) said they had smoked marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 11* percent of Dumas ISD students, compared to 17
percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9* percent of
Dumas 10th grade students (18 percent statewide) and 10 percent of district 12th grade students
(19 percent statewide), half the rates reported by 10th and 12th grade students statewide.
Twelve percent of DISD 8th grade students said they had smoked marijuana during the past
month (14 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Eleven percent of DISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 13 percent of Dumas ISD 10th and 12th
grade students (13 percent statewide). Driving while under the influence of drugs at least once
during the past year was reported by 12 percent of district 10th grade students (10 percent
statewide) and 14 percent of Dumas 12th grade students (17 percent statewide).

Fifty-one percent of DISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (56
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (22
percent statewide). Seven percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of
any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (7 percent statewide).

Thirteen* percent of the Dumas ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, nearly half the rate reported by
students statewide (25 percent). The use of marijuana and or other drugs at most or all parties
was reported by 10 percent of DISD 8th graders (15 percent statewide), 17* percent of district
10th graders (29 percent statewide), and 15* percent of Dumas 12th graders (33 percent
statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Dumas students reported a
disapproval rate of 88 percent (87 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (7 percent statewide),
while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Dumas ISD students. Ten percent of DISD
students reported using uppers (9 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had used powdered
cocaine (7 percent statewide), 5 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 4 percent
said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (8
percent statewide), and 3* percent reported using ecstasy (6 percent statewide) at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

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Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Dumas ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco
product, nearly two times more likely to have used powdered cocaine, and over three times more
likely to have used a steroid than were district female students. There were no other significant
differences by gender among DISD students with regard to the use of alcohol, inhalants,
marijuana, or other illicit substances.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Dumas students said they would seek help from their friends (79 percent/76 percent
statewide). Sixty-four percent of DISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide), and 54 percent said they would turn to their parents (54
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical doctor (35
percent/37 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Dumas
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).

Eighty-four* percent of Dumas ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 73 percent of students
statewide. Fifty-eight* percent of DISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from a "health class" (43 percent statewide), while 48* percent said "an invited school
guest" was a source for this information (38 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported
by students statewide. "An assembly program" was reported by 47 percent of district students as
a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-one percent of Dumas students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (89 percent statewide), and 90 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty-five* percent of DISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 73* percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (58 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts
statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 48
percent of DISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (43 percent statewide),
while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (36 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).