TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

MOUNT PLEASANT 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 Mount Pleasant Independent School District (MPISD). A
total of 1250 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences
with alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 37 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 1213.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Fifty-five percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 26 percent said they had used tobacco during
the past month (Fig. 2).

•Ten* percent of MPISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, while 4*
percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.2

•Seventy-two percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had used alcohol at least
once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 36* percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Eight percent of MPISD students reported attending at least one class during the past
year while "drunk," and 23* 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 16 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 3* percent (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of MPISD students reported using marijuana at least once during their
lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 6* percent said they had used marijuana during the past
month (Fig. 2).

•Mount Pleasant 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 (30 percent), or a counselor or program in school (32
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 Mount Pleasant ISD students is somewhat similar to that reported by
their counterparts statewide.

Fifty-five percent of Mount Pleasant students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, the same rate reported by students statewide (Fig. 1). Lifetime general tobacco
use was highest among district 11th graders (65 percent/61 percent statewide) and Mount
Pleasant 12th graders (64 percent/63 percent statewide). The lowest rate of lifetime general
tobacco use was reported by MPISD 7th graders (39 percent/40 percent statewide).

Twenty-six percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during
the past month (24 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Past-month general tobacco use was reported by
36* percent of MPISD 11th grade students, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 11th
grade students statewide (27 percent). The lowest rate of general tobacco use during the past
month was reported by district 7th graders (14 percent/16 percent statewide).

Fifty-two percent of Mount Pleasant students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during
their lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 23 percent 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, a rate somewhat higher than that reported statewide (7 percent).
Daily cigarette use was reported by 16 percent of Mount Pleasant ISD 12th graders (12 percent
statewide). Eighteen percent of MPISD students said most or all of their close friends smoke
cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 24* percent of MPISD students, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Eight percent of
Mount Pleasant 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 4*

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percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 9* 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 Mount Pleasant
ISD. Alcohol use among secondary students statewide was similar to that reported two years
ago. Overall, Mount Pleasant ISD students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat similar to
those reported by their peers statewide.

Seventy-two percent of Mount Pleasant students reported consuming alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime alcohol use was reported by 57
percent of MPISD 7th graders (58 percent statewide) and 86 percent of district 11th graders (86
percent/83 percent statewide) (Fig. 3).

Thirty-six percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the
past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current alcohol use was reported by 25 percent of
MPISD 7th graders (24 percent statewide). Thirty-five* percent of Mount Pleasant 10th grade
students reported using alcohol during the past month, a rate lower than that reported by 10th
grade students statewide (45 percent). Past-month alcohol use was highest among district 11th
graders (50 percent/48 percent statewide) and MPISD 12th graders (49 percent/52 percent
statewide) (Fig. 4).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Mount Pleasant students are beer (62
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (57 percent/61 percent statewide). Thirty-seven
percent of MPISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent
statewide), and 31 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-one percent of Mount Pleasant 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 38 percent of
MPISD students (41 percent statewide), while 20 percent said they usually drink five or more
wine coolers at a time on average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eight percent of Mount Pleasant students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Class attendance while intoxicated was
reported by 12 percent of MPISD 10th graders (11 percent statewide) and 4 percent of district
7th graders (7 percent statewide) (Figs. 9a and 9b).

Twenty-three* percent of MPISD 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 somewhat higher

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than that reported by their counterparts statewide (15 percent). The highest rate of driving
while intoxicated was reported by Mount Pleasant 11th graders (38* percent), compared to 20
percent of 11th graders statewide. 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-eight percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Thirty-nine percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent
statewide), and 39 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 11 percent of MPISD students (10 percent
statewide).

Forty percent of Mount Pleasant 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 MPISD 11th graders (77* percent), a rate higher than that
reported by 11th graders statewide (57 percent) (Figs. 12a and 12b). Forty percent of district
students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or
always (44 percent statewide), while 21 percent of MPISD 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 MPISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (28 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (43 percent/47 percent
statewide). Sixty-seven 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 26 percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days, the same rate reported by students 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, 78 percent of Mount Pleasant
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 10 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove
(11 percent statewide) (Fig. 15).

Inhalants3

3 Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants

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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 decreased. Overall, Mount Pleasant ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Sixteen percent of Mount Pleasant students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Lifetime inhalant use was highest among district 10th
grade students (24 percent/17 percent statewide). Fifteen* percent of Mount Pleasant 8th
graders reported lifetime inhalant use, compared to 24 percent of 8th graders statewide.
Lifetime inhalant use was lowest among MPISD 12th grade students (7* percent), a rate
somewhat lower than that reported by their 12th grade peers statewide (15 percent) (Figs. 5a
and 5b).

Three* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said they had used inhalants during the past
month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2). Current inhalant use was reported by 4 percent of district
8th grade students (8 percent statewide), 4 percent of Mount Pleasant 10th grade students (4
percent statewide), and 1 percent of MPISD 12th grade students (2 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a
and 6b).

One* percent of MPISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 2 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Nine percent of MPISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Mount Pleasant students were correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (10 percent statewide) and gasoline (8 percent/6 percent statewide). Five
percent of MPISD students said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 5* percent said
they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (6 percent statewide), and 5* 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.

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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In the Mount Pleasant ISD, 18* percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 11* percent of MPISD students said they
had used one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates lower
than those reported by their counterparts 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. Mount Pleasant students reported average usage rates of 0.7 times in the past
month and 2.2 times during their lifetimes.

Sixteen* percent of MPISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Lifetime
marijuana use was reported by 21* percent of Mount Pleasant 11th graders, compared to 32
percent of 11th graders statewide. Six* percent of district 7th graders reported lifetime
marijuana use, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 7th graders statewide (13 percent)
(Figs. 5a and 5b).

Past-month marijuana use was reported by 6* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students, a rate
lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent) (Fig. 2). Current
marijuana use was reported by 9 percent of Mount Pleasant 10th graders (14 percent statewide),
9 percent of district 11th graders (14 percent statewide), and 9 percent of MPISD 12th graders
(14 percent statewide). Two* percent of district 7th graders said they had used marijuana
during the past month (6 percent statewide) (Figs. 6a and 6b).

Four* percent of MPISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (9 percent statewide). Class attendance while stoned was reported by 1
percent of Mount Pleasant 7th graders (6 percent statewide), 7 percent of district 10th graders (7
percent/11 percent statewide), and 7 percent of MPISD 11th graders (10 percent statewide)
(Figs. 10a and 10b).

Driving under the influence of drugs at least once during the past year was reported by 6
percent of Mount Pleasant ISD 9th through 12th grade students (8 percent statewide). Driving
under the influence of drugs was highest among MPISD 11th graders (9 percent/10 percent
statewide) and 12th graders (9 percent/12 percent statewide).

Thirty-six* percent of MPISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 6* percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Two*
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).

Eight* percent of Mount Pleasant ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used
at most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, compared to 17 percent of
students statewide. Drug use at most or all parties was reported by 12* percent of district 11th
graders, a rate lower than that reported by 11th graders statewide (25 percent).

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When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Mount Pleasant students reported a
disapproval rate of 91* percent (87 percent statewide). Six* percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 17).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Mount Pleasant ISD students. Six
percent of MPISD students said they had used uppers (7 percent statewide), 4 percent reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 3* percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent
statewide), and 2* 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
Mount Pleasant ISD, male students were nearly twice as likely to have used inhalants or
marijuana than were district female students, and males were the only students to report crack
or steroids use. There were no other significant differences by gender among MPISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, 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. MPISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to report marijuana use than were those district students living in homes
with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among
Mount Pleasant ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or other
illegal drugs.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Mount Pleasant students said they would seek help from their friends (79*
percent/74 percent statewide). Fifty-nine percent of MPISD 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 (30 percent/33 percent statewide), or a counselor or
program in school (32 percent/35 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall,
4* percent of Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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 70* percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide
(53 percent). Forty-five percent of MPISD students said a "health class" was a source for this
information (46 percent statewide), while 40* percent reported getting information about drugs
and alcohol from "an invited school guest" (46 percent statewide).

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The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-five* percent of Mount Pleasant students believe that crack use
is "very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 95* percent believe that powdered cocaine use
is "very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-four* percent of MPISD students believe
that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 81* percent believe that
marijuana use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those
reported by their counterparts statewide. By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 52* percent of MPISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to
use alcohol, compared to 46 percent of students statewide. Thirty-two* percent of Mount
Pleasant ISD students believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat lower than
that reported by students statewide (41 percent) (Fig. 13).