TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

LUBBOCK-COOPER 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 Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District (LCISD).
A total of 616 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 36 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 580.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-one* percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students reported using tobacco at least

once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Seventy-five percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students said they had used alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37 percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten percent of LCISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 17 percent of district 9th through 12th grade students

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.

1
 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 16 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-two percent of LCISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 9 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Lubbock-Cooper ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program
in school (29* percent) or a medical doctor (31* 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 Lubbock-Cooper ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported
by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-one* percent of Lubbock-Cooper 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 48 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (46 percent statewide). Seventy*
percent of LCISD 9th through 12th graders reported using a tobacco product at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (60
percent).

Thirty-three* percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students said they had used a tobacco product
during the past month, compared to 24 percent of students statewide (Fig. 2). Past-month
general tobacco use was reported by 20 percent of LCISD 7th and 8th grade students (20
percent statewide). Forty-one* percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported past-
month use of a tobacco product, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (27
percent).

Fifty-five percent of Lubbock-Cooper students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 27* 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 19*
percent of district 9th through 12th grade students, a rate higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (9 percent). Twenty-six* percent of LCISD students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes, compared to 19 percent of 9th through 12th grade students
statewide.

2
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32* percent of LCISD students (17
percent statewide), while 17* 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 a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 10* 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 also higher than those reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Alcohol

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

Seventy-five percent of Lubbock-Cooper students reported consuming alcohol at least once

during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 60
percent of LCISD 7th and 8th graders (63 percent statewide) and 85 percent of district 9th
through 12th graders (81 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-seven percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during
the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 22 percent
of district 7th and 8th grade students (29 percent statewide) and 47 percent of LCISD 9th
through 12th grade students (46 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Lubbock-Cooper students are beer (68*
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (64 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-two
percent of LCISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent
statewide), and 31 percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 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-two* percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 31*
percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge
drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 44 percent of LCISD students (41 percent statewide),
while 21 percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (19 percent statewide).

Ten percent of Lubbock-Cooper students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Attending class while intoxicated was
reported by 5 percent of LCISD 7th and 8th graders (9 percent statewide) and 12 percent of
district 9th through 12th graders (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9).

3
Seventeen percent of LCISD 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. Seventy-two percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 42 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 LCISD students (10 percent
statewide).

Forty-three percent of Lubbock-Cooper 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 16 percent of district 7th and 8th graders (19 percent statewide) and 58
percent of LCISD 9th through 12th graders (51 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Forty-eight
percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most
of the time or always (44 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of LCISD students said they get
alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, a rate somewhat lower than that reported
by students statewide (21 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 LCISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (35* percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (42* percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-five 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, only 25 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, 74 percent of Lubbock-Cooper
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Seven 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).

4
Inhalants3

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, Lubbock-Cooper ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixteen percent of Lubbock-Cooper students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 17 percent of
district 7th and 8th graders (22 percent statewide) and 14 percent of LCISD 9th through 12th
graders (17 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Three percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past
month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Two percent of LCISD 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).
Eleven percent of LCISD 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 Lubbock-Cooper students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (8 percent/10 percent statewide) or liquid/spray paint (8 percent/7 percent
statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling gasoline (6 percent statewide), 6
percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide) at least once during
their lifetimes (Figs. 7a and 7b).

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

In the Lubbock-Cooper ISD, 22* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (28
percent). Fifteen percent of LCISD 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

3
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.

5
lives. Lubbock-Cooper students reported average usage rates of 1.0 times in the past month and
3.0 times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two percent of LCISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate similar to that reported by their peers statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime marijuana
use was reported by 18 percent of Lubbock-Cooper 7th and 8th grade students (17 percent
statewide). Twenty-four percent of district 9th through 12th grade students reported lifetime
marijuana use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (31 percent) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students (12
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current marijuana use was reported by 10 percent of district 7th
and 8th graders (8 percent statewide). Eight* percent of LCISD 9th through 12th graders
reported past-month marijuana use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th through
12th graders statewide (14 percent) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Seven percent of LCISD 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 5 percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Forty-one* percent of LCISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain,
compared to 48 percent of students statewide. Fifteen percent of Lubbock-Copper students
reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent statewide). Four 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 Lubbock-Cooper 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 12 percent of district 7th
and 8th grade students (9 percent statewide). Fourteen* percent of LCISD 9th through 12th
grade 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 somewhat lower than that reported by 9th through 12th
grade students statewide (22 percent).

Fewer Lubbock-Cooper ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used marijuana during the past month (3 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students
who said they had missed four or more days of school (9 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, 25 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).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Lubbock-Cooper students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (87 percent statewide). Five percent of district students said they

6
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 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 Lubbock-Cooper ISD students. Six
percent of LCISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had
used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5
percent statewide), and 3 percent reported using downers (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
Lubbock-Cooper ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used a tobacco
product than were district female students. There were no other significant differences by
gender among LCISD students with regard to the use of alcohol products, 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. In the Lubbock-Cooper ISD, there were no
significant differences by living arrangement with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol
products, inhalants, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Lubbock-Cooper students said they would seek help from their friends (78
percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-eight percent of LCISD students said they would seek help
from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 56 percent said they would turn to
their parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a
counselor or program in school (29* percent/35 percent statewide) or a medical doctor (31*
percent/38 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students statewide
(Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 5 percent of Lubbock-Cooper students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Seventy-eight percent of Lubbock-Cooper 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 60 percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 44 percent said "an invited
school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent statewide). Forty-six percent of
LCISD 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 Lubbock-Cooper students believe that crack use is

7
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-four* percent of LCISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 76* percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by
students statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only
52 percent of LCISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (46 percent
statewide). Thirty-one* percent of Lubbock-Cooper ISD students believe that tobacco use is
"very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (41 percent)
(Fig. 13).