TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

YANTIS 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 Yantis Independent School District (YISD). A total of
137 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol
and drugs. Of that number, 8 surveys were excluded from analysis because the 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 129.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Seventy-two* percent of Yantis ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 37* percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).2

•Seventeen* percent of Yantis ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily basis,
while 2 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily basis.

•Seventy-one percent of Yantis 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).

•Eleven percent of Yantis ISD students reported attending at least one class during the
past year while "drunk," and 28 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 24 percent of Yantis ISD students (Fig. 1),
while past-month inhalant use was reported by 14* percent (Fig. 2).

•Thirty-one percent of Yantis ISD students reported using marijuana at least once during
their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 19 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month (Fig. 2).

•Yantis ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or alcohol
problem (76 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (32 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 Yantis ISD students is higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide.

Seventy-two* percent of Yantis students reported general tobacco use at least once during their
lifetimes, compared to 55 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). 4 Thirty-seven* percent of
Yantis ISD students said they had used a tobacco product during the past month, a rate higher
than that reported by students statewide (24 percent) (Fig. 2).

Sixty-nine* percent of Yantis students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 36* percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the
past month (22 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide.
Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 17* percent of district students (7 percent
statewide), while 40* percent said most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 34* percent of YISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by students statewide (17 percent). Eleven percent of Yantis
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 2 percent of
district students (2 percent statewide), and 3 percent said most or all of their close friends use
smokeless tobacco (5 percent).

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 1994.

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

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

Seventy-one percent of Yantis students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes (74 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Thirty-six percent of Yantis ISD students said they
had consumed alcohol during the past month (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Yantis students are beer (66 percent/59
percent statewide) and wine coolers (58 percent/61 percent statewide). Forty percent of YISD
students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide). Twenty-six
percent of district students said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly, a rate somewhat
lower than that reported by their peers statewide (34 percent).

"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 Yantis ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 34* percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates higher than those reported by students statewide. Past-year "binge drinking" of
wine coolers was reported by 51 percent of YISD students (41 percent statewide). Twenty-two
percent of district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on
average when they drink (19 percent statewide).

Eleven percent of Yantis students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-eight* percent of YISD 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 (4 percent statewide) (Fig. 11).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-five percent of Yantis ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or liquor
were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-eight percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate somewhat higher
than that reported by their counterparts statewide (40 percent). Forty-five percent of Yantis
students 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 13 percent of YISD students (10 percent statewide).

Thirty-six percent of Yantis students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties they
attended in the past school year (39 percent statewide) (Fig. 12). Thirty-seven percent of
district students responded "at parties" when asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time
or always (44 percent statewide), while 11* percent of YISD students said they get alcohol

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"from the store" most of the time or always (21 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than
those reported by students 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 YISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (17 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (51 percent/47 percent
statewide). Seventy-two* 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 19* percent of district students who had not experienced
difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol within the past
30 days (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, 78 percent of Yantis 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 8 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, Yantis ISD students are
using inhalants at rates somewhat higher than those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-four percent of Yantis students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Fourteen* percent of Yantis 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).

Two percent of YISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
percent statewide), and 6 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school
year while "high" on inhalants (3 percent statewide). Twenty percent of YISD students said
they had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (12 percent).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Yantis students was correction fluid/Liquid
Paper (17 percent/10 percent statewide). Twelve percent of district students reported inhaling
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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gasoline (6 percent statewide), 10 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), 10
percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 10 percent reported inhaling
substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had
inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), and 6 percent reported inhaling substances in
the "other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 7).

Fewer Yantis ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
inhalants during the past month (7 percent/3 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (18 percent/6 percent statewide). Nine
percent of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
inhalants within the past 30 days (2 percent statewide). By contrast, 25 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. 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 Yantis ISD, 36 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during their
lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 30* percent of YISD students said they had used one or
more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher 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. Yantis students reported average usage rates of 2.8 times in the past month
and 8.1 times during their lifetimes.

Thirty-one percent of YISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 19 percent of Yantis ISD students, compared to 12 percent of
students statewide (Fig. 2).

Fourteen percent of YISD students reported attending at least one 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 22 percent of Yantis ISD 9th through 12th grade
students, a rate higher than that reported by 9th through 12th grade students statewide (8
percent).

Fifty-seven percent of YISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain, a
rate somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (48 percent). Nineteen percent
of Yantis students reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17 percent

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statewide). Six 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). Twenty-five percent of
the Yantis 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 somewhat higher than that reported by
students statewide (17 percent).

Fewer Yantis ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (4 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (29 percent/15 percent statewide). Six percent
of district students who had not gotten into trouble with school officials reported using
marijuana within the past 30 days (4 percent statewide). By contrast, 54 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 (31 percent statewide).

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Yantis students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (87 percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 3 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide) (Fig.
15).

Uppers are the next most frequently used illicit substance among Yantis ISD students. Twenty-
eight* percent of district students said they had used uppers, a rate higher than that reported by
their peers statewide (7 percent). Twelve* percent of YISD students reported using downers (5
percent statewide), 9 percent said they had used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 8 percent
said they had used powdered cocaine (5 percent statewide), 6 percent reported using ecstasy (3
percent statewide), 5 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), and 5 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 less likely to have used drugs than were male students. In the
Yantis ISD, male students were somewhat more likely to have consumed alcohol, smoked
marijuana, used uppers, used downers, or used steroids, nearly three times more likely to have
used hallucinogens, and over three times more likely to have used ecstasy than were district
female students. There were no other significant differences by gender among YISD students
with regard to the use of tobacco products, inhalants, powdered cocaine, or crack.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. YISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have used crack, nearly two times more likely to have used
hallucinogens or uppers, over two times more likely to have smoked marijuana, nearly three
times more likely to have used powdered cocaine or downers, and more than three times more

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likely to have used ecstasy use than were those district students living in homes with two
parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement among Yantis ISD
students with regard to the use of tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, or steroids.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Yantis students said they would seek help from their friends (76 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-one percent of YISD students said they would seek help from an adult
friend or relative (57 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 medical doctor (32
percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 6 percent of Yantis
students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from
someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Eighty-five percent of Yantis ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs and
alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, compared to 79 percent of students
statewide. "An invited school guest" was reported by 64* percent of district students as a
source for information about drugs and alcohol, a rate higher than that reported by students
statewide (46 percent). Fifty-four percent of Yantis students said "an assembly program" was a
source for information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide). Thirty-eight percent of
YISD 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. Eighty-six percent of district students believe that powdered cocaine use
is "very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Eighty-three percent of Yantis students believe that
crack use is "very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 67 percent of YISD students believe
that inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), rates somewhat lower than those
reported statewide. Sixty-three percent of district students believe that marijuana use is "very
dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and tobacco
use is lower. Only 37 percent of YISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use alcohol
(46 percent statewide), while 28 percent believe that tobacco use is "very dangerous" (41
percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by students statewide (Fig. 13).