TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

ANDERSON-SHIRO 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 Anderson-Shiro Independent School District (ASISD). A
total of 170 students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with
alcohol and drugs. Of that number, 9 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 161.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-three percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students reported using tobacco at least

once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 33 percent said they had used tobacco
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen* percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 5 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.2

•Eighty-three percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students said they had used alcohol at
least once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 53* percent reported using alcohol
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Sixteen percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students reported attending at least one class
during the past year while "drunk," and 21 percent of district 9th through 12th

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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 grade students said they had driven a car at least once during the past year after
having "a good bit to drink."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 15 percent of district students (Fig. 1), while
past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent (Fig. 2).

•Twenty-two percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students reported using marijuana at least

once during their lifetimes (Fig. 1), and 12 percent said they had used marijuana
during the past month (Fig. 2).

•Anderson-Shiro 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 (34 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 Anderson-Shiro ISD students is somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide.

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

Sixty percent of Anderson-Shiro students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes (52 percent statewide), and 31 percent said they had smoked cigarettes during the past
month (22 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers
statewide. Smoking cigarettes on a daily basis was reported by 16* percent of district students,
compared to 7 percent of students statewide. Twenty-one percent of ASISD students said most
or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes (19 percent statewide).

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 31* percent of ASISD students, a
rate higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (17 percent). Eleven percent of
Anderson-Shiro 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 5
percent of district students (2 percent statewide), and 9 percent said most or all of their close
friends use smokeless tobacco (5 percent).

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

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

Eighty-three percent of Anderson-Shiro students reported consuming alcohol at least once

during their lifetimes, compared to 74 percent of students statewide (Fig. 1). Fifty-three*
percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past month,
a rate higher than that reported by students statewide (39 percent) (Fig. 2).

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Anderson-Shiro students are beer (74*
percent/59 percent statewide) and wine coolers (77* percent/61 percent statewide), rates higher
than those reported by their counterparts statewide. Forty-nine* percent of ASISD students said
they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (37 percent statewide), and 46* percent said they
drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (34 percent statewide), rates also higher than those
reported by students statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 57*
percent of ASISD students, compared to 41 percent of students statewide. Twenty-four percent
of district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time on average when
they drink (19 percent statewide). Fifty-one percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students reported
"binge drinking" beer at least once during the past year (39 percent statewide), while 27 percent
said they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (20 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by their peers statewide.

Sixteen percent of Anderson-Shiro students reported attending at least one class during the past
school year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide) (Fig. 9). Twenty-one percent of ASISD 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 (15 percent statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more
times during the past year was reported by 4 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-two percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Forty-nine percent of
district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol (40 percent statewide),
and 47 percent responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the
time or always (40 percent statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students
statewide. "Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported
by 9 percent of ASISD students (10 percent statewide).

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Forty-eight percent of Anderson-Shiro students said alcohol was used at most or all of the
parties they attended in the past school year, compared to 39 percent of students statewide (Fig.
12). Fifty-eight* percent of district students responded "at parties" when asked where they
obtain alcohol most of the time or always, a rate higher than that reported by their counterparts
statewide (44 percent). Twenty-five percent of ASISD 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 ASISD students who had not been absent since the Fall
reported having used alcohol during the past month (34 percent/26 percent statewide) than did
district students who said they had missed four or more days of school (59 percent/47 percent
statewide), rates somewhat higher than those reported by students statewide. Ninety-one*
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, a rate higher than that reported by
their peers statewide (65 percent). By contrast, only 36* percent of district students who had
not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had used alcohol
within the past 30 days, compared to 26 percent of 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, 66 percent of Anderson-Shiro
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove, a rate somewhat lower than that
reported by students statewide (75 percent). Ten percent of district students said they "don't
know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer (10 percent statewide), and 19*
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, Anderson-Shiro ISD
students are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Fifteen percent of Anderson-Shiro students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide) (Fig. 1). Four percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students said
they had used inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide) (Fig. 2).

One percent of ASISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3
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). Nine percent of ASISD students said they

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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had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substance most frequently used by Anderson-Shiro students was correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students reported
inhaling substances in the "other inhalants" category (8 percent statewide), 7 percent said they
had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled paint
thinner (6 percent statewide), and 5 percent said they had inhaled glue (6 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. 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 Anderson-Shiro ISD, 24 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once
during their lifetimes (28 percent statewide), while 17 percent of ASISD students said they had
used one or more illicit substances three or more times (19 percent statewide), rates similar to
those reported by their peers 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.
Anderson-Shiro students reported average usage rates of 2.0 times in the past month and 3.4
times during their lifetimes.

Twenty-two percent of ASISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes,
a rate also similar to that reported by students statewide (25 percent) (Fig. 1). Past-month
marijuana use was reported by 12 percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD students (12 percent
statewide) (Fig. 2).

Eleven percent of ASISD 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 6 percent of Anderson-Shiro ISD 9th through
12th grade students (8 percent statewide).

Fifty-one percent of ASISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (48
percent statewide), and 12 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (17
percent statewide). Five 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). Twelve percent of
the Anderson-Shiro ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at most or all
of the parties they attended during the school year (17 percent statewide).

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Fewer Anderson-Shiro ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having
used marijuana during the past month (8 percent/6 percent statewide) than did district students
who said they had missed four or more days of school (14 percent/15 percent statewide). Five
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, 27 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, Anderson-Shiro students reported a
disapproval rate of 85 percent (87 percent statewide). Eight percent of district students said
they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent
statewide), while 5 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent
statewide) (Fig. 15).

Other illicit substances are used by a small number of Anderson-Shiro ISD students. Seven
percent of ASISD students reported using uppers (7 percent statewide), 7 percent said they had
used hallucinogens (6 percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used powdered cocaine (5
percent statewide), 5 percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 4 percent
reported using downers (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
Anderson-Shiro ISD, there were no significant differences by gender with regard to the use of
tobacco or alcohol products, 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. ASISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana, used powdered cocaine, downers, or steroids,
and over three times more likely to have used uppers than were those district students living in
homes with two parents. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Anderson-Shiro ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco or alcohol products,
inhalants, crack, hallucinogens, or ecstasy.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Anderson-Shiro students said they would seek help from their friends (74
percent), the same rate reported by students statewide. Fifty-five percent of ASISD students
said they would seek help from an adult friend or relative (57 percent statewide), and 49 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 (34 percent/35 percent statewide), another
adult in school, such as a teacher or nurse (37 percent/33 percent statewide), or a medical doctor
(37 percent/38 percent statewide) (Fig. 17). Since school began in the Fall, 8 percent of
Anderson-Shiro students reported seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or
drug use from someone other than family or friends (7 percent statewide).

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Eighty-two percent of Anderson-Shiro 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 72* percent of district students as a source for
information about drugs and alcohol (53 percent statewide), while 65* percent said "an invited
school guest" was a source (46 percent statewide), rates higher than those reported by students
statewide. Forty-eight percent of ASISD students reported getting information about drugs and
alcohol from a "health class" (46 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-two percent of Anderson-Shiro students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (91 percent statewide), and 92 percent believe that powdered cocaine use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Seventy-seven percent of ASISD students believe that
inhalant use is "very dangerous" (77 percent statewide), and 71 percent believe that marijuana
use is "very dangerous" (67 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol
and tobacco use is lower. Only 32* percent of ASISD students feel that it is "very dangerous"
to use alcohol (46 percent statewide), while 31 percent believe that tobacco use is "very
dangerous" (41 percent statewide), rates lower than those reported by their 7th through 12th
grade counterparts statewide (Fig. 13).