TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

NAZARETH ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, 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 Nazareth Independent School District (NISD). A total of
115 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Since no students were identified as exaggerators, all 115 surveys were included in
analysis.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty percent of Nazareth ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 28 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).

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

•Seventy-four percent of Nazareth ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 45 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Four percent of Nazareth ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 41* 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."2

1 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 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
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 1* percent of Nazareth ISD students (Fig. 1),
while none reported past-month inhalant use (Fig. 2).

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

•Nazareth ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (81 percent) and least likely to consult another adult in school, such as a
teacher or nurse (28 percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 3 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Nazareth ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

Fifty percent of Nazareth students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (55 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).4 Twenty-eight percent of Nazareth ISD students said
they had used a tobacco product during the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Forty-five percent of Nazareth students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by students statewide (52 percent). Twenty-
four percent of NISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month (22
percent statewide). Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 8 percent of district
students (7 percent statewide), while 21 percent said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32* percent of NISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Eleven percent of district
students 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 3 percent of
Nazareth students (2 percent statewide), and 7 percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent).

Alcohol
3 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 1994.

4 4
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be
made.

2
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Nazareth ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall,
Nazareth ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates similar to those reported by their peers
statewide.

Seventy-four percent of Nazareth students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-five percent of Nazareth ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Nazareth students are beer (66 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (63 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty-three percent of
NISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 32
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. Forty-three percent of Nazareth 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). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 40 percent of NISD
students (41 percent statewide), and 13 percent said they usually drink five or more wine
coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Four percent of Nazareth students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Forty-one* percent of NISD 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, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (15 percent).
Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 19* percent
of district 9th through 12th graders, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Eighty-one percent of Nazareth ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-three percent of
Nazareth students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide). Fifty-one percent of NISD students responded "from friends" when asked where
they obtained alcohol most of the time or always, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (40 percent). "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking
was reported by 13 percent of NISD students (10 percent statewide).

Fifty-five* percent of Nazareth students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (39
percent) (Fig. 12). Forty-four percent of Nazareth students responded "at parties" when asked
where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always (44 percent statewide). Five* percent of

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NISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always, a rate lower
than that reported by their counterparts 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 NISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (21 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (50 percent/47 percent
statewide). Eighty-four* 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, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 37* percent of
district students who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct
problems had used alcohol within the past 30 days, a rate also higher than that reported by their
peers statewide (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, 71 percent of Nazareth students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Five percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10
percent statewide), and 16 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants5

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Nazareth ISD students are
using inhalants at rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

One* percent of Nazareth students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes,
compared to 19 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). None of the Nazareth ISD students said
they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

None of the NISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and none said they had attended at least one class during the past school year while
"high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). None of the NISD students said they had used two or
more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

One* percent of Nazareth students reported inhaling correction fluid/Liquid Paper at least once
during their lifetimes, a rate lower than that reported by students statewide (10 percent). None
of the district students said they had ever inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), gasoline (6 percent
5 5
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
statewide), liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), substances in the "other sprays" category (4
percent statewide), paint thinner (6 percent statewide), or substances in the "other inhalants"
category (8 percent statewide) (Fig. 7).

Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two-year period.

In the Nazareth ISD, 7* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes, (28 percent statewide), while 1* percent of NISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower than those
reported by students statewide.

Five* percent of NISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a rate
lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 1* percent of Nazareth ISD students, compared to 12 percent of
students statewide (Fig. 2).

None of the NISD students reported attending 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 4 percent of Nazareth ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent
statewide).

Ten* percent of NISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48 percent
statewide), and 1* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide. Three 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).

One* percent of the Nazareth ISD 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 lower than that reported by
students statewide (17 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Nazareth students reported a
disapproval rate of 95* percent, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (87 percent). Four percent of Nazareth students said they "don't know" how their
parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Nazareth ISD students. Two percent of
NISD students said they had used ecstasy (3 percent statewide), 1* percent reported using

5
uppers (7 percent statewide), and 1 percent reported using downers (5 percent statewide) at least
once during their lifetimes. None of the district students said they had ever used hallucinogens
(6 percent statewide), powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), crack (2 percent statewide), or
steroids (2 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Nazareth ISD, male students were over two times more likely to have used tobacco than were
district female students. On the other hand, NISD female students were the only reported users
of uppers or downers in the district. There were no other significant differences by gender
among NISD students with regard to the use of alcohol, inhalants, or illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Nazareth students said they would seek help from their friends (81 percent),
compared to 74 percent of students statewide. Fifty-five percent of NISD 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 another adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (28 percent/33 percent statewide) (Fig.
17). Since school began in the Fall, none of the Nazareth students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Ninety-four* percent of Nazareth ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported
by their peers statewide (79 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 82* percent of
Nazareth students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide),
while 80* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (46 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Thirty-eight percent
of NISD 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-eight percent of Nazareth students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 98 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. Eighty-five* percent of Nazareth students believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (67 percent). Sixty-eight
percent of NISD students believe that inhalant use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower
than that reported by their counterparts statewide (77 percent). By contrast, the perceived
danger of alcohol and tobacco use is lower. Only 27* percent of NISD students feel that it is
"very dangerous" to use alcohol, (46 percent statewide), while 30 percent believe that tobacco
use is "very dangerous" (41 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their peers
statewide (Fig. 13).