TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

CROSBYTON 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 7 through 12 in the Crosbyton Independent School District (CISD). A total of 225
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 4 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 221.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-six* percent of Crosbyton ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 45* percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).2

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

•Seventy-six percent of Crosbyton ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 48* percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-three* percent of Crosbyton ISD 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"
(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.

1
•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 20 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-nine percent of Crosbyton 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).

•Crosbyton ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (74 percent) and least likely to consult a counselor or program in school
(25* percent) (Fig. 17).

Tobacco

Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among students statewide has increased slightly.3 Overall, the general use of tobacco products
among Crosbyton ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixty-six* percent of Crosbyton students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Forty-five* percent of
Crosbyton ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate
higher than that reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-three* percent of Crosbyton students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 39* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Smoking
cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 18* percent of district students (8 percent statewide),
while 42* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent statewide),
rates also higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of CISD students (16
percent statewide), while 18* percent said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the
past month (5 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Using
a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 3 percent of district students (1
percent statewide), and 8 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (5
percent statewide).

Alcohol
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.

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 Crosbyton ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, Crosbyton ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat higher than
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-six percent of Crosbyton students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Forty-eight* percent of Crosbyton ISD students said
they had consumed alcohol during the past month, compared to 38 percent of students statewide
(Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Crosbyton students are beer (66* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-eight* percent of
CISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate higher than that reported
by students statewide (33 percent). Twenty-eight percent of district students said they drink wine
coolers weekly or monthly (31 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-six* percent of Crosbyton ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37 percent statewide), while 40* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Lifetime "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 49 percent of CISD students (40 percent statewide), while 19
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(18 percent statewide).

Thirteen percent of Crosbyton students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (9 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Thirty-three* 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, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade
students statewide (15 percent). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past
year was reported by 11* percent of district 9th through 12th graders, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by 9th through 12th graders statewide (4 percent) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at parties.
Seventy-eight percent of Crosbyton ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Fifty-six* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 52*
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (39 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 11 percent
of CISD students (9 percent statewide).

Forty-eight* percent of Crosbyton students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13), and 56* percent of district

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students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(43 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Sixteen percent
of CISD students said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always (17 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 (47* percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (52 percent/44 percent
statewide). Eighty-eight* percent of the Crosbyton students who had experienced difficulties
with school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days,
compared to 62 percent of students statewide. By contrast, only 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 (25 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, 70 percent of Crosbyton students
said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Ten percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (9
percent statewide), and 16 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (10 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. Over the last two years,
use of inhalants among students statewide has stayed about the same. Overall, Crosbyton ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty percent of Crosbyton students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Three percent of Crosbyton ISD
students said they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

Four percent of CISD 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 (4 percent statewide). Ten percent of CISD students said they had used
two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent statewide).

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
The inhalant substance most frequently used by Crosbyton students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (11 percent/9 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling
gasoline (5 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they
had inhaled paint thinner (5 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (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. 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 Crosbyton ISD, 32 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 23 percent of CISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by students statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs reported
using them an average of 2.2 times in the past 30 days and 6.4 times during their lives.
Crosbyton students reported average usage rates of 1.5 times in the past month and 5.3 times
during their lifetimes.

Twenty-nine percent of CISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by their counterparts statewide (31 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 11 percent of Crosbyton ISD students (16 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Eleven percent of CISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (13 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 14 percent of Crosbyton ISD 9th through 12th
grade students (12 percent statewide).

Forty-five percent of CISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent statewide), and 16 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of any
kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (6 percent statewide). Thirteen* percent
of the Crosbyton 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 (23 percent).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Crosbyton students reported a
disapproval rate of 84 percent (85 percent statewide). Ten percent of district students said they

5
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Crosbyton ISD students. Nine percent of
CISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), 8 percent reported
using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 4
percent said they had used hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had used
steroids (2 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1).

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were somewhat less likely to have used drugs than were male
students. In the Crosbyton ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have used an
inhalant or powdered cocaine, nearly two times more likely to have smoked marijuana, and over
three times more likely to have used a steroid than were district female students. In addition,
district males were the only reported users of hallucinogens. There were no other significant
differences by gender among CISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol
products or other illegal substances.

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 twice as likely to have used powdered cocaine than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Crosbyton ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products, inhalants,
marijuana, or other illicit drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Crosbyton students said they would seek help from their friends (74 percent/74 percent
statewide). Sixty percent of CISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend or
relative (58 percent statewide), and 51 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
(25* percent), a rate lower than that reported by their peers statewide (35 percent) (Fig. 17).
Since school began in the Fall, 7 percent of Crosbyton students reported seeking help for any
problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7
percent statewide).

Seventy-three percent of Crosbyton ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (75 percent statewide). Sixty-
one* percent of CISD students reported getting information about drugs and alcohol from a
"health class," a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (46 percent). "An assembly
program" was reported by 40 percent of district students as a source for information about drugs
and alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 32 percent said "an invited school guest" was a source
for this information (38 percent statewide).

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-six percent of Crosbyton students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 85 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-three percent of CISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 66 percent believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco use
is lower. Only 35 percent of CISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol (44
percent statewide), while 25* percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39 percent
statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).