TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

CONNALLY ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1994, 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 Connally Independent School District (CISD). A total of
578 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 20 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 558.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-seven* percent of Connally 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

•Fourteen* percent of CISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while
8* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Eighty-one* percent of Connally ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 49* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

1
The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I
(Standardized): District Survey Results." Sixth grade student participation in the secondary survey has been
eliminated throughout this report so that comparisons can be made with statewide data. 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 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.

1
 •Fourteen* percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 28* 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."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 19 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 5 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-three percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 10 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Connally ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (71 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 students statewide has stayed much the same. Overall, the general use of
tobacco products among Connally ISD students is higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Sixty-seven* percent of Connally students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 3 Lifetime tobacco use
was reported by 61* percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide) and 71*
percent of CISD 9th through 12th graders (60 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their peers statewide.

Thirty-seven* percent of Connally ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the
past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current general tobacco use was reported by 31*
percent of CISD 7th and 8th grade students (20 percent statewide) and 40* percent of district
9th through 12th grade students (27 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by
their peers statewide.

Sixty-one* percent of Connally students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 31* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 14*
percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily use of cigarettes was reported by 4
percent of Connally 7th and 8th grade students (4 percent statewide) and 21* percent of district
9th through 12th grade students (9 percent statewide). Twenty-eight* percent of CISD students
said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

3
Due to the small number of students in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 35* percent of CISD students (17
percent statewide), while 17* 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 8* percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 17* percent said most or all
of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by their peers statewide.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Connally ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Connally ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those reported by their
peers statewide.

Eighty-one* percent of Connally students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was
reported by 68 percent of CISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 89* percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Forty-nine* percent of Connally ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 39 percent of their counterparts statewide (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was
reported by 34 percent of district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 59*
percent of CISD 9th through 12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Connally students are beer (71* percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (72* percent/61 percent statewide), rates higher than those
reported by students statewide. Forty-eight* percent of CISD 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. Fifty* percent of Connally ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 32* 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 51* percent of CISD
students (41 percent statewide), while 29* percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Fourteen* percent of Connally students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was
reported by 10 percent of CISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 17* percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

3
Twenty-eight* percent of CISD 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 10* 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-one* percent of Connally ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-five percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 45
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (40 percent statewide). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own
drinking was reported by 12 percent of CISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of Connally students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). Alcohol use at most or all parties was
reported by 15 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 56 percent of
CISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-six percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 21 percent of CISD students said they get alcohol "from
the store" most of the time or always (21 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 CISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (43* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (54 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 (65 percent
statewide). By contrast, 32* percent of district students who had not experienced difficulties
with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days (26
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, 73 percent of Connally students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 13 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 students statewide decreased. Overall, Connally ISD students are using
inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Nineteen percent of Connally students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 23 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 16 percent of CISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Five percent of Connally ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 10 percent of district 7th and
8th grade students (7 percent statewide) and 1 percent of CISD 9th through 12th grade students
(4 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Four percent of CISD 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). Thirteen percent of CISD 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 Connally students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (10 percent/10 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they had inhaled
liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent
statewide), 8 percent reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), and 8 percent reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

Fewer Connally ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (3 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (6 percent/6 percent statewide). Two percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 10 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

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 students statewide has increased. The use of

5
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students
statewide over the last two years.

In the Connally ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 18 percent of CISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent 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. Connally students reported average usage rates of 0.9 times in
the past month and 3.7 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-three percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes
(25 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana use was reported by 15 percent of Connally
7th and 8th grade students (17 percent statewide) and 29 percent of district 9th through 12th
grade students (31 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a & 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of Connally ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 7 percent of district 7th and 8th
graders (8 percent statewide) and 12 percent of CISD 9th through 12th graders (14 percent
statewide) (Figs. 6a & 6b).

Nine percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Class attendance while "stoned" was reported by 6
percent of Connally 7th and 8th graders (7 percent statewide) and 11 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (11 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 10 percent of Connally ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-seven percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 9* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Five 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).

Thirteen* percent of the Connally ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were
used at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide).
Marijuana and/or other drug use at most or all parties was reported by 8 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide) and 16* percent of CISD 9th through 12th grade
students (22 percent statewide).

Fewer Connally ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (12 percent/15 percent statewide). Four
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 23 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 (31 percent statewide).

6
When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Connally students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (87 percent statewide). Seven 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).

Marijuana is the next most frequently used illicit substance among Connally ISD students (23
percent/25 percent statewide). Reported use of marijuana was highest among district 9th
through 12th grade students (29 percent/31 percent statewide). Seven percent of CISD students
reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), and 2* percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 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
Connally ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used marijuana than were
district female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among CISD
students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illicit substance use.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. CISD students living in other family situations were
nearly two times more likely to have used marijuana than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Connally ISD students with regard to tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other illegal drug
use.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Connally students said they would seek help from their friends (71 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of CISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 55 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/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of
Connally students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use
from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-four* percent of Connally ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (79 percent statewide). "An
assembly program" was reported by 66* percent of district students as a source for this
information (53 percent statewide), while 61* percent said "an invited school guest" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (46 percent statewide). Forty-seven percent of

7
CISD 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. Ninety percent of Connally students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 90 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-six percent of CISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 72 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 42 percent of CISD 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) (Fig. 13).