TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

WEST SABINE 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 West Sabine Independent School District (WSISD). A total of 232
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, 6 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 226.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

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

• Eighteen* percent of West Sabine ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 9* percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

• Eighty-two* percent of West Sabine ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 46 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: 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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• Twenty-nine* percent of West Sabine 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).

• Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 33* percent of district students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 10 percent (Fig. 2).

• Thirty percent of West Sabine ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 18 percent said they had used marijuana during
the past month (Fig. 2).

• West Sabine ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (80 percent) and least likely to consult a school counselor (29
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 West Sabine ISD students is considerably higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide.

Seventy-four* percent of West Sabine students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Forty-eight* percent of
West Sabine ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, nearly
double the rate reported by students statewide (26 percent) (Fig. 2).

Seventy-two* percent of West Sabine students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (53 percent statewide), and 44* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (25 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 18* percent of district students (8 percent
statewide), while 47* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (21 percent
statewide), over twice the rates reported by their counterparts statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 37* percent of WSISD students (16
percent statewide), while 19* 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 9* percent of district students (1
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
percent statewide), and 22* percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco
(5 percent statewide), rates also higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the West Sabine ISD.
Alcohol use among secondary students statewide has decreased slightly from that reported two
years ago. Overall, West Sabine ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates higher than those
reported by their peers statewide.

Eighty-two* percent of West Sabine students reported consuming alcohol at least once during
their lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Forty-six percent of West
Sabine ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (38 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by West Sabine students are beer (70* percent/56
percent statewide) and wine coolers (72* percent/58 percent statewide). Forty-three* percent of
WSISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis, a rate higher than that
reported by their peers statewide (33 percent). Thirty-nine percent of district students said they
drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by students
statewide (31 percent).

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. WSISD students are "binge drinking" beer and wine coolers at
rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Fifty-one* percent of West
Sabine ISD students reported "binge drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (37
percent statewide), while 31* percent said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide). Lifetime "binge drinking" of wine coolers was
reported by 56* percent of WSISD students (40 percent statewide), while 27* percent said they
usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (18 percent
statewide).

Twenty-two* percent of West Sabine students reported attending at least one class during the
past school year while "drunk," a rate considerably higher than that reported by students
statewide (9 percent) (Fig. 9). Twenty-nine* percent of WSISD 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, nearly twice the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (15 percent).
Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 7 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-nine percent of West Sabine ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (75 percent statewide). Fifty-five* percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (37 percent statewide), and 49*

3
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 7 percent of
WSISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-nine percent of West Sabine students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year (37 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Forty-six percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or
always (43 percent statewide), while 13 percent of WSISD 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 WSISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (34 percent/25 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (49 percent/44 percent
statewide). Seventy percent of the West Sabine students who had experienced difficulties with
school officials on four or more days reported using alcohol during the past 30 days (62 percent
statewide). By contrast, only 31 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, 72 percent of West Sabine
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (76 percent statewide). Eight percent of
district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer
(9 percent statewide), and 14 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, West Sabine ISD
students are using inhalants at rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Thirty-three* percent of West Sabine students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes, in contrast to the 20 percent reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Ten percent of

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.

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West Sabine ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past month, a rate somewhat
higher than that reported by students statewide (5 percent) (Fig. 2).

Seven percent of WSISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide). Thirteen* percent of district students said they had attended at least one class
during the past school year while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide), and 20* percent said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12
percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.

The inhalant substance most frequently used by West Sabine students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (26* percent), nearly three times the rate reported by their peers statewide (9 percent).
Twelve percent of WSISD students said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide),
11 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide),
11* percent said they had inhaled glue (5 percent statewide), 8 percent said they had inhaled
paint thinner (5 percent statewide), 7 percent reported inhaling gasoline (5 percent statewide),
and 7 percent reported inhaling substances in the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Fewer West Sabine ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (4 percent/4 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (11 percent/6 percent statewide). Six percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using inhalants
within the past 30 days (3 percent statewide). By contrast, 20 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 marijuana,
the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among students statewide over the
last two years.

In the West Sabine ISD, 33 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (34 percent statewide), while 23 percent of WSISD students said they had used
one or more illicit substances three or more times (25 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by their counterparts 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.
West Sabine students reported average usage rates of 2.2 times in the past month and 5.9 times
during their lifetimes.

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Thirty percent of WSISD 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 18 percent of West Sabine ISD students (16 percent statewide)
(Fig. 2).

Fifteen percent of WSISD 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 25* percent of West Sabine ISD 9th through
12th grade students, more than double the rate reported by 9th through 12th grade students
statewide (12 percent).

Forty-eight percent of WSISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (53
percent), and 25 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21 percent
statewide). Seven 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). Nineteen percent of the
West Sabine ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the
parties they attended during the school year (23 percent statewide).

None of the West Sabine ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used marijuana during the past month (9 percent statewide), while 21 percent who said they had
missed four or more days of school reported smoking marijuana during the past month (20
percent statewide). Seven percent of West Sabine students who had not gotten into trouble with
school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days (7 percent statewide). By
contrast, 37 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 (38 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, West Sabine students reported a
disapproval rate of 86 percent (85 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 4 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of West Sabine ISD students. Twelve percent
of WSISD students reported using uppers (8 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (8 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using downers (6 percent statewide), 4
percent reported using ecstasy (5 percent statewide), 3 percent said they had used steroids (2
percent statewide), 2* percent said they had used powdered cocaine (7 percent statewide), and 2
percent reported using crack (3 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 West Sabine ISD, male students were more than twice as likely to have used
ecstasy than were district female students. On the other hand, WSISD female students were

6
nearly twice as likely to have used downers and more than twice as likely to have used uppers
than were district males. There were no other significant differences by gender among WSISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, 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. WSISD students living in other family situations were
more than twice as likely to have used hallucinogens than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. On the other hand, in WSISD, students living in homes with two
parents were somewhat more likely to have used powdered cocaine or uppers than were district
students living in other family situations. There were no other significant differences by living
arrangement among West Sabine ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol,
inhalants, marijuana, or other illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of West Sabine students said they would seek help from their friends (80 percent/74 percent
statewide). Fifty-nine percent of WSISD students said they would seek help from an adult friend
or relative (58 percent statewide). Forty-four* percent of district students said they would turn
to their parents for help with a drug or alcohol problem, a rate lower than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (54 percent). District students are least likely to seek help from a
counselor or program in school (29 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began
in the Fall, 5 percent of West Sabine students reported seeking help for any problems connected
with alcohol or drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Sixty-four* percent of West Sabine ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate lower than that reported
by their peers statewide (75 percent). Thirty-eight percent of WSISD students reported getting
information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by their peers statewide (46 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 25*
percent of district students as a source for information about drugs and alcohol (44 percent
statewide), and 20* percent said "an invited school guest" was a source for this information (38
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide.

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-eight percent of West Sabine students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (88 percent statewide), and 88 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Seventy-five percent of WSISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (70 percent statewide), and 65 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (60 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 47 percent of WSISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (44 percent statewide), while 36 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (39
percent statewide) (Fig. 13).