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GOREE ISD
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 9 through 12 in the Goree Independent School District (GISD). A total of 23 students
completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and drugs.
Of that number, one survey was excluded from analysis because a student did not indicate grade
or age, or because he or she was identified as an exaggerator (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 22.1
•Eighty-five percent of Goree ISD students reported using tobacco at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 53 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month (Fig. 2).
•Twenty-six percent of Goree ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 10 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.
•Eighty-four percent of Goree ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 63 percent reported using alcohol during the
past month (Fig. 2).
•Twenty-two percent of Goree ISD 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 42 percent of Goree ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 9 percent (Fig. 2).
•Fifty-seven percent of Goree ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 16 percent said they had used marijuana 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."
1
•Goree ISD students are most likely to turn to an adult friend or relative for help with a
drug or alcohol problem (72 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor
(20 percent) (Fig. 17).
Tobacco
Over the last two years, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless products)
among 9th through 12th grade students statewide has increased slightly.2 Overall, the general use
of tobacco products among Goree ISD students, especially with regard to cigarettes, is higher
than that reported by their counterparts statewide.
Eighty-five percent of Goree students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes (60 percent statewide) (Fig. 1).3 Fifty-three percent of Goree ISD students said they
had used a tobacco product during the past month (30 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).
Eighty-five* percent of Goree students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (58 percent statewide), 48 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (28 percent statewide), and 26 percent reported smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (11
percent statewide), rates considerably higher than those reported by their peers statewide.4
Seventy-one* percent of district students said their close friends smoke cigarettes, nearly three
times the rate reported by students statewide (24 percent).
Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 32 percent of GISD students (19
percent statewide), while 18 percent of Goree students said they had used a smokeless tobacco
product during the past month (23 percent statewide), and 10 percent reported using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis (2 percent statewide). Eleven percent of district students said
most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco (6 percent statewide).
Alcohol
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide and in the Goree ISD.
Alcohol use among 9th through 12th grade students statewide has decreased slightly from that
2
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.
3
Due to the small number of students surveyed in this district, no between-grade comparisons can be made.
4
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.
2
reported two years ago. Overall, Goree ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat
higher than those reported by their peers statewide.
Eighty-four percent of Goree students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (80 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Sixty-three percent of Goree ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month (43 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).
The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Goree students are beer (71 percent/63 percent
statewide) and wine coolers (79 percent/66 percent statewide). Fifty-four percent of GISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (38 percent statewide), and 47 percent
said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (35 percent statewide).
"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Sixty-nine percent of Goree ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during their lifetimes (43 percent statewide). Fifty-four* percent of
district students said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink,
more than twice the rate reported by students statewide (23 percent). Lifetime "binge drinking"
of wine coolers was reported by 72 percent of GISD students (45 percent statewide), while 40
percent said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when they drink
(21 percent statewide).
Thirty-one percent of Goree students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-two percent of GISD 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 13 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.
Eighty-one percent of Goree ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor were
somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (83 percent statewide). Seventy-two percent of district
students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (45 percent statewide), 67
percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (47 percent statewide), and 22 percent reported "difficulties of any kind" with friends
because of one's own drinking (11 percent statewide).
Fifty-four percent of Goree students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (49 percent statewide) (Fig. 13). Sixty-seven percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always
(51 percent statewide). Twenty-three percent of GISD students said they get alcohol "from the
store" most of the time or always (22 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, 62 percent of Goree students said
their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Nineteen percent of district
students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (7
3
percent statewide), and 19 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (13 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 9th through 12th grade students statewide stayed about the same.
Overall, Goree ISD students appear to be using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their counterparts statewide.
Forty-two percent of Goree students reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes
(18 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Nine percent of Goree ISD students said they had used inhalants
during the past month (3 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).
Five percent of GISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (2 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). Thirty percent of GISD students said they had
used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (10 percent
statewide).
The inhalant substances most frequently used by Goree students were gasoline (34* percent/5
percent statewide), correction fluid/Liquid Paper (26 percent/8 percent statewide), liquid/spray
paint (22 percent/6 percent statewide), substances in the "other inhalants" category (22 percent/6
percent statewide), and paint thinner (13 percent/5 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. Over the last
two years, the use of illicit drugs among 9th through 12th grade students statewide has increased.
The use of marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, has also increased among 9th
through 12th graders statewide over the last two years.
In the Goree ISD, 57 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (40 percent statewide), while 47 percent of GISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (30 percent statewide). Statewide, students who said
they had used illicit drugs reported using them an average of 2.7 times in the past 30 days and 8.2
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
times during their lives. Goree students reported average usage rates of 1.1 times in the past
month and 12.6 times during their lifetimes.
Fifty-seven percent of GISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes (37
percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Past-month marijuana use was reported by 16 percent of Goree ISD
students (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).
Seventeen percent of GISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (14 percent statewide) (Fig. 10). Driving under the influence of drugs at
least once during the past year was reported by 13 percent of Goree ISD grade students (12
percent statewide).
Sixty-three percent of GISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (64
percent statewide), and 29 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (25
percent statewide). Twelve percent of district students said they had gotten into "difficulties of
any kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (7 percent statewide). Fifteen percent
of the Goree ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all of the
parties they attended during the school year (29 percent statewide).
When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Goree students reported a
disapproval rate of 77 percent (86 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (6 percent
statewide), while 9 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (5 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).
Other illicit substances are used by a smaller number of Goree ISD students. Thirteen percent of
GISD students reported using uppers (10 percent statewide), 13 percent reported using crack (3
percent statewide), 12 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (8 percent statewide), 8
percent reported using downers (7 percent statewide), and 4 percent said they had used
hallucinogens (10 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes. None of the district
students said they had ever used steroids (2 percent statewide) or ecstasy (7 percent statewide)
(Fig. 1).
When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest percentage
of Goree students said they would seek help from their an adult friend or relative (72 percent/58
percent statewide). Fifty-seven percent of GISD students said they would seek help from friends
(57 percent/78 percent statewide), and 55 percent said they would turn to their parents (52
percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help for a drug or alcohol problem
from a medical doctor (20 percent/36 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the
Fall, 8 percent of Goree students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol
or drug use from someone other than family or friends (6 percent statewide).
5
Seventy-eight percent of Goree ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall (73 percent statewide). Sixty-five*
percent of district students said "an invited school guest" was a source for information about
drugs and alcohol, nearly double the rate reported by students statewide (34 percent). Fifty-four
percent of GISD students said "an assembly program" was a source for information about drugs
and alcohol (40 percent statewide), and 20 percent reported getting this information from a
"health class" (47 percent statewide).
The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Eighty-nine percent of Goree students believe that crack use is "very
dangerous" (90 percent statewide), and 84 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is "very
dangerous" (87 percent statewide). Eighty percent of GISD students believe that inhalant use is
"very dangerous" (77 percent statewide). Seventy-three percent of district students believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous" (54 percent statewide), and 60 percent feel that it is "very
dangerous" to use alcohol (42 percent statewide). Thirty-six percent of GISD students believe
that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (34 percent statewide) (Fig. 13).