TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MIDLOTHIAN 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 Midlothian Independent School District (MISD). A total
of 1163 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 70 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 1093.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Midlothian 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).2

•Ten* percent of MISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Sixty-nine* percent of Midlothian 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).

•Seven percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 18 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."

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 18 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Eighteen* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 8* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Midlothian ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (79* percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school,
such as a teacher or nurse (23* 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 Midlothian ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Midlothian students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco use was highest among
district 12th graders (71 percent/63 percent statewide) and lowest among MISD 7th graders (34
percent/40 percent statewide).

Thirty-one* percent of Midlothian 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 highest among MISD 11th grade students (44* percent/27 percent statewide), district
12th grade students (44* percent/31 percent statewide), and Midlothian 10th grade students
(38* percent/27 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Past-month use of a tobacco product was lowest among district 7th graders (15 percent/16
percent statewide).

Fifty-one percent of Midlothian students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 27* percent of Midlothian students said they had smoked
cigarettes during the past month (22 percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis
was reported by 10* percent of district students (7 percent statewide). Daily cigarette use was
highest among Midlothian ISD 12th graders (28* percent), a rate higher than that reported by
12th graders statewide (12 percent). Twenty-two percent of MISD students said most or all of
their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 25* percent of MISD students (17
percent statewide), while 10* 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

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reported by 4* percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 8* 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 Midlothian ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years ago.
Overall, Midlothian ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their
peers statewide.

Sixty-nine* percent of Midlothian students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was lowest among MISD
7th graders (42* percent/58 percent statewide) and highest among district 11th graders (82
percent/83 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-seven percent of Midlothian ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was lowest among MISD 7th
graders (16* percent/24 percent statewide) and highest among district 11th graders (51
percent/48 percent statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Midlothian students are wine coolers (63
percent/61 percent statewide) and beer (61 percent/59 percent statewide). Thirty-seven percent
of MISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and
35 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. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 47*
percent of MISD students (41 percent statewide), while 22* percent said they usually drink five
or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide), rates
somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Forty-one percent of Midlothian
ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent
statewide), while 24* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average
when they drink (20 percent statewide).

Seven percent of Midlothian students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). The rates of attending class while intoxicated ranged
from 4 percent of district 7th graders (7 percent statewide) to 10 percent of MISD 9th graders
(10 percent statewide) and 10 percent of Midlothian 11th graders (10 percent statewide) (Figs.
9a and 9b).

Eighteen percent of MISD 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 was reported by 28 percent Midlothian 12th graders (26 percent statewide).

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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-seven percent of Midlothian ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-six percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 41 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 9 percent of MISD students (10 percent statewide).

Forty percent of Midlothian students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide). The highest rate of alcohol use at most
or all parties was reported by MISD 10th graders (65* percent/52 percent statewide) and 11th
graders (65 percent/57 percent statewide) (Figs. 12a and 12b). Forty-two percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 18 percent of MISD 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 MISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (24 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (48 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-one* 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 24 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, 77 percent of Midlothian
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Six* percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(10 percent statewide), and 12 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

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,
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.

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use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Midlothian ISD students are
using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Eighteen percent of Midlothian students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was lowest among MISD 7th
grade students (11* percent), a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th grade students
statewide (20 percent). Twenty-two percent of district 9th grade students reported lifetime
inhalant use (19 percent statewide) (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Four percent of Midlothian ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5
percent statewide) (Fig. 2). One percent of MISD students reported most or all of their close
friends use inhalants (3 percent statewide), and 3 percent said they had attended at least one
class during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Eleven
percent of MISD 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 Midlothian students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/10 percent statewide). Seven percent of district students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled glue (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 Midlothian ISD, 20* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 15* percent of MISD 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. Midlothian students reported average usage rates of 0.8
times in the past month and 3.3 times during their lifetimes.

Eighteen* percent of MISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was highest among Midlothian 11th graders (30 percent/32 percent statewide)
and district 12th graders (30 percent/34 percent statewide). Eighteen* percent of Midlothian
9th graders (28 percent statewide) and 9* percent of MISD 8th graders (21 percent statewide)
reported lifetime marijuana use, rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

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Lifetime marijuana use was lowest among district 7th graders (3* percent), compared to 13
percent of 7th graders statewide (Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 8* percent of Midlothian ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2). The rates of current marijuana ranged from 2* percent of district 7th
graders (6 percent statewide) to 15 percent of Midlothian 10th graders (14 percent statewide).
Seven* percent of district 9th graders (14 percent statewide) and 3* percent of MISD 8th
graders (11 percent statewide) reported past-month marijuana use, rates somewhat lower than
those reported by 9th and 8th graders statewide (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Five* percent of MISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide) (Figs. 10a and 10b). Driving under the influence of
drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Midlothian ISD 9th
through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs was
reported by 12 percent of MISD 11th graders (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine* percent of MISD 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), rates somewhat lower than those reported by students 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). Twelve* percent of the Midlothian 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 21 percent of district 10th graders (23 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Midlothian students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Five* percent of district students said
they "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).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Midlothian ISD students (8
percent/7 percent statewide). Reported use of uppers was highest among district 10th graders
(15 percent/9 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b). Six percent of district students said they had
used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using downers (5 percent
statewide), and 4 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
Midlothian 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 MISD

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students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants, 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. MISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used inhalants and nearly twice as likely to have used marijuana
or uppers than were those district students living in homes with two parents. There were no
other significant differences by living arrangement among Midlothian ISD students with regard
to the use of tobacco or alcohol products or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Midlothian students said they would seek help from their friends (79* percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-one* percent of MISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 51 percent said they would turn to their
parents (54 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from another adult
in school, such as a teacher or nurse (23* percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school
began in the Fall, 3* percent of Midlothian students reported seeking help for any problems
connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent
statewide).

Eighty-three* percent of Midlothian 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 65* percent of district students as a source for information
about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 54* percent said "an invited school guest"
was a source for this information (46 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by
students statewide. Thirty-seven* percent of MISD students reported getting information about
drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students
statewide (46 percent).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-three percent of Midlothian students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 91 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-eight percent of MISD 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 39* percent of MISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 29* percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).